More than 200 people seeking international protection have been left without accommodation in the past three weeks, a senior Government official has said
Accommodation has not been found for 203 refugees since 24 January, Kevin McCarthy, Secretary General at the Department of Children and Integration, told the Public Accounts Committee.
Mr McCarthy said that protests against accommodation for those seeking international protection - as distinct from those fleeing Ukraine - are discouraging providers. "It is particularly a challenge in relation to single males", he said, emphasising that the facts prove that single men do not"present a threat to communities". An estimated shortfall of 3,000 beds for Ukrainian refugees once current contracts expire is"probably on the conservative side", Mr McCarthy said.A"considerable number of hotels" have not yet responded to requests to renew contracts, many of which expire at the end of next month.
Asked about hoteliers waiting"up to 11 weeks" to be paid, he said that"€200m was paid out in November and December" to tackle what had become a"very significant" backlog.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
200 gather in Ballyfermot for demonstration in support of asylum seekersThere have been several protests against refugees in the west Dublin suburb in recent weeks
Read more »
Taxi payments: Over 200 complaints made to watchdog in five monthsOver 200 complaints have been made in five months for taxis not accepting card payments, new figures released to Newstalk show.
Read more »
200 Ukrainian refugees had no accommodation, ctte toldAccommodation has not been found for 203 refugees since 24 January, the Secretary General at the Department of Children and Integration, told the Public Accounts Committee
Read more »
Efforts to find accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers enter ‘extremely difficult phase’, PAC to hearAll accommodation capacity within the International Protection Accommodation Service system is being used
Read more »
Government ministers to travel to 44 countries for St Patrick's Day engagementsMinisters, Ministers of States and other Government representatives will travel across the globe to places such as the US, Australia, the Middle East, Asia and other locations as part of the celebrations.
Read more »
Government defends use of CSO new home delivery figuresThe Govt has defended its use of CSO figures suggesting that almost 30,000 new homes were delivered last year. The Opposition says completion certificate data indicates that only 23,751 new dwellings actually came on stream
Read more »