Ukraine accommodation transfers
Catherine Connolly objected to notices requiring families in Galway to leave accommodation, saying they were being pushed towards emergency housing that did not exist. The Taoiseach said he would examine the specific case, explained the accommodation footprint was being reduced as arrivals from Ukraine fell, and stressed the need for a careful, compassionate approach.
I am glad the Taoiseach is here. This is my second time to raise this issue in the Dáil. I raised it in the Taoiseach's absence with the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and have written to her. It is really serious. Deputy Kelly raised it in the context of Borrisokane. I am raising it in respect of Galway. An eviction notice has been served on those who have been in accommodation for two or three years, embedded in the community. I know the local school. There are any number of families with eviction notices for various times in July. The one in particular I am thinking about is for Friday. This is a family who have been moved three times. They have finally embedded in the community. They do considerable voluntary work. I could go on forever about the amount of work they do.
This is cruel, inhuman and unacceptable. A battle seems to be going on between the Department of housing and the Department of children, with one trying to push the other to do something. To think eviction notices are being served on families in this manner, telling them to get emergency accommodation in Galway, where there is absolutely none. We have a waiting list of up to 20 years. No housing assistance payment, HAP, premises are available. These are not my words; it is according to the Simon Community. This inhumanity has to stop and the decision must be reversed.
Comment on this
I was just speaking to the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, on this matter while the Deputy was speaking. I will discuss it further with him and the Minister, Deputy O’Gorman. My understanding, though, is that these are transfers, as opposed to evictions, whereby people are being asked to transfer to other locations, but-----
Comment on this
They have been told to go to emergency accommodation but there is no emergency accommodation.
Comment on this
Okay. I will take a look at the specific situation the Deputy has raised and discuss it with the Minister of State and the Minister. What we are doing, and we have to be honest about this, is that the number of people coming from Ukraine has fallen and we are reducing our footprint in terms of leases and contracts-----
Comment on this
I accept that this has to be done in a way that is careful and compassionate and I accept that a number of communities across the country are, rightly, highlighting the sensitivities around this. I am not familiar with the specific situation relating to Galway but I will make myself familiar with it today.