A disproportionate number of refugees and asylum seekers are being housed in working-class areas, according to Gary Gannon.

Figures released by the Department of Children show there are 3,335 Ukrainian refugees and IPAS applicants being housed in Dublin 24, while Dublin 6 houses just 51.

The Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central says that other areas should be utilised if Ireland is to continue to welcome international protection applicants in droves.

"Our call and what I'm highlighting is the fact that there are parts of Dublin which haven't received the same concentration of people from our international protection system", he told Newstalk.

"As more people come, if we are pursuing every available opportunity, well we need to look a other parts of Dublin."

Lack of services

Dublin 4 and Dublin 6, Deputy Gannon says, "haven't received anywhere close to the same numbers of international protection applicants as other parts of the city".

He added that the areas used most thus far already had long-standing issues with a chronic lack of services including housing and healthcare.

"I think it is unfair to the people who are in an old abandoned ESB building down on the East Wall Road", he said.

"They've been told that they have to stay in accommodation that I don't believe is suitable for habitation, while just across the Liffey there are empty hotels lying idol in Dublin 4."

"For me, the government are telling us that it's a societal shoulder to the wheel. That needs to be demonstrated."

Poor conditions

Asylum seekers say they are being forced to live in inhumane conditions due to serious overcrowding at some reception centres.

Newstalk reporter Barry Whyte spoke to asylum seekers who were told the sleep on the streets on their arrival in Ireland.

They told Barry that the accommodation they have been given since is not much better.

“When [too many] people come, look what they do; they put a lot of people - like 300 people - into a small place,” said one man. “There is a lot of trouble.”

“You can see the situation when you put people from different countries into a small space – they fight with each other and they make troubles with the people outside.

“The living conditions are not good. They have to stop bringing more people to Ireland because it is small. They shouldn’t bring this much people.”

Another man said people should know asylum seekers are not living in luxury.

“We’re not living in the 5 Star what people think we’re living in,” he said.

“I mean, you see yourself, for me, it is not a place for a human being. It is kind of sad people think we’re living in five stars.”