The government has failed refugees that have come to Ireland for safety, according to People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy.
He says that the prospect of refugees being asked to vacate hotels to make way for tourists is a poor reflection on the people who run this country.
The comments come after the United Nations High Commission for Refugees indicated accommodating hotels will revert back to holidaying spots soon.
Deputy Murphy has called the government's lack of planning "scandalous".
"There's people in extremely substandard accommodation and of course the homeless crisis in this country continues to get worse."
"150,000 homes vacant in total across the state and we need to be saying to those people, 'you have to use it or lose it'."
Welfare payments
Former Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív has said that welfare payments for asylum seekers are “too low”.
Currently, there are roughly 9,300 adult asylum seekers in the state who receive €38.80 per week and the 2,000 children living in Direct Provision receive €4.25 per day.
The Daily Expenses Allowance is administered by the Department of Social Protection and is lower than the €220 a week Irish citizens receive on job seeker’s allowance.
“I think the rate is too low at €38 a week”, Mr Ó Cuív told Newstalk.
“But I do accept the principle that it shouldn’t be the full rate."
“Because if you pay the full rate, plus free board and lodgings, then the logic of that situation is you would be better off in Direct Provision than somebody who is in receipt of job seeker’s allowance and is living here all their life.
“The reality is in their case that they have to pay for their food and their board.”
Accommodation crisis
A Ukrainian mother has said she's worried that she and her three children will end up homeless when they arrive in Ireland next week.
Ukrainians have been reading about the lack of accommodation in Ireland on Telegram and those planning a move feel extremely apprehensive.
Alex, from Kherson in the east of the war-torn country, told Newstalk that she and her family will soon leave Ukraine.
“I am due to arrive in Ireland next week with my three young children; I have two boys and a girl under the age of 12,” she said.
“I’m worried now that we could end up homeless or end up sleeping on the floor of the airport when we come to Dublin”.
The Department of Integration has been upfront that there is a shortage of accommodation and that new arrivals could end up homeless.
Main image shows Paul Murphy is seen on the plinth outside Leinster House, Dublin launching the 'Workplace Ventilation (Covid-19) 2021' Bill in August 2021. Picture by: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie
