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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Support for migrant towns

Summary

Deputy O'Connor said towns like Youghal have taken large numbers of migrants and need more support than the community recognition fund provides. The Taoiseach said the Government wants to support communities and invited further ideas on how to do more.

I wish to raise the issue of towns that have taken in large numbers of migrants in IPAS centres. My own home town of Youghal is one of the examples across the country that have taken a huge proportion, having lost almost 70% of our hotel bed capacity in that town. Not enough is being done to support towns where this has happened. Economically and socially for the local communities, the community recognition fund of €100 million simply does not cut it. Can the Government consider supporting these locations and helping much-needed reductions in tensions in these communities by assisting them in key projects around integration, community infrastructure, as well as sporting and other facilities? I reiterate that €100 million is simply not enough in comparison with what the IPAS contractors are in receipt of from the Government.

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Simon Harris The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I thank Deputy O'Connor for raising the issue. I am conscious the Minister of State with responsibility for integration, Deputy Joe O'Brien, is here as well. The Government is eager to support communities and to assist with integration and services. Communities across Ireland have done much to assist and it is important that we try to respond to the needs of those communities and to engage with them. If the Deputy wants to send some ideas on how he thinks the Government can do more in that space, we certainly would be very happy to consider them.

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