Minister says refugees may not be placed in Dublin

The housing and homelessness crisis in Dublin means refugees arriving in Ireland should be accommodated elsewhere across the country, a Government Minister has said.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, which is overseeing the intake of 4,000 refugees as part of the Irish response to the European crisis, said appropriate housing may have to be found away from areas where there are already housing shortages.

Integration

The reception and orientation centres, where refugees will stay for a short period upon arrival, may also need to be situated in parts of the country that are not as densely populated, he said. Doing so would help with integration and public acceptance of the refugee protection programme announced by the Government.

However, the Dublin North Cental TD added that refugees will be fast-tracked through the immigration system and would not spend a long period in the centres.“Clearly there are some areas where there is a housing and homelessness crisis and space may have to be found in areas where the pressures are not acute,” Mr Ó Ríordáin said.

“It would make sense if the orientation centres and longer-term accommodation were outside Dublin and other areas where there are already shortages as well as a homelessness crisis. There may be other local authorities who have the ability to take greater number of refugees. It would also help smooth the public mood and help with integration.”

He was speaking after the first meeting of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme Taskforce in Dublin yesterday. The job of the task force will be to implement the Government’s decision to accept 4,000 refugees over the next two years. However, it is understood possible locations which could be used for orientation centres or longer-term accommodation were not discussed at the meeting.

According to the task force’s draft terms of reference circulated at the meeting, it will oversee the identification of those arriving into Ireland, the timescale and rate of arrivals, travel arrangements, security screenings and child protection and other issues.

Over the next two years, it will also “oversee the medium and longer-term supports, including integration services, welfare education and English language and other training”.

Chaired by Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, the task force agreed that city and county managers and the Department of the Environment will start work on finding accommodation for the refugees, with the first arrivals expected within weeks. It is understood their assessments of available accommodation will include social housing, private housing and stock held by voluntary housing associations.

Irish Red Cross

Paudie Coffey, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, also attended yesterday’s meeting, along with representatives of the departments of health, education and social protection. The HSE and Tusla, the child and family agency, were also represented, along with the Irish Red Cross – which will contact individuals who have already offered help – and representatives of the United Nations high commissioner for refugees.

A statement from the Department of Justice said: “Work on providing accommodation for persons granted refugees status will be led by the Department of the Environment and the city and county managers.”