Immediate audit of public land needed to address refugee housing crisis, says councillor

Labour councillor Declan Meenagh has called on government to update its Housing for All strategy to take into account the housing needs of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland.

The Glasnevin councillor said that the accommodation currently being offered to refugees is not up to standard.

“I was horrified to read the news last week that the ‘céad mile fáilte’ government propose to offer Ukrainian refugees may consist of prefabs and tents rather than a proper roof over their head.

“We need to develop a long term housing strategy for refugees to include long term, own home accommodation, not tents. These must be incorporated into Housing For All without delay.”

Meenagh said that an audit should be carried out “of accessible state lands in urban areas to identify its suitability for modular housing for refugees fleeing the war.

“There must be a whole of government response to the integration of Ukrainian refugees – from housing to education to integration. It is our obligation to ensure that they are supported and protected when they arrive in this State.

“As always, Irish people have opened their hearts and their homes to people fleeing Ukraine.

“We have seen plenty of examples of this in Dublin.

“The Government should follow their lead and step up to the plate by providing a proper home for people and families.

“History tells us that refugees will not be able to return home quickly. We need a proper, well thought through long term housing strategy to ensure that we do not have children growing up in camps.”