Ukrainian refugee accommodation
Mattie McGrath raised concern about the spread of Ukrainian refugee accommodation in Tipperary and lack of community engagement. The Taoiseach said he had heard concerns from Borrisokane, would speak to the Minister, and acknowledged local communities had been welcoming.
I know there is a problem in Dublin with the canals and the tents and everything else. The people of Ireland and the people of Tipperary are very welcoming to Ukrainian refugees but now we have a situation whereby they are being moved out of places such as Rathcabbin and Borrisokane, which was a model for everyone to look at. There is Dundrum House Hotel, what happened in Roscrea and the Heywood Road site in Clonmel. There is ongoing activity there today. There is also Hearn's Hotel. There is no real cohesive plan and no proper engagement with communities. I am grappling to deal with the engagement section of the Department. It is totally understaffed and under-resourced. There is no proper or cohesive engagement. Borrisokane was a model, as was the nursing home in Rathcabbin that was going to be used. Now the use has been changed to something else. People feel betrayed. Dundrum House Hotel had 250 people. There are now 52 going out and 52 IPAS people coming in.
It is causing confusion and consternation. There needs to be a cohesive plan, with proper and timely engagement, not cloak and dagger. It is a very serious and concerning situation.
Comment on this
I heard the serious concerns of the people of Borrisokane recently when I was in Tipperary and I have received some correspondence from them which I will come back to them on after I have engaged with the Minister. I do take it that Borrisokane, and I am just referencing that place because it is the one I know, has been very welcoming and helpful in responding to the humanitarian crisis.