President Higgins has rejected the idea that the high number of asylum seekers has led to an increase in homelessness.
The view puts him at odds with the Government and comes after Taoiseach Simon Harris told The Sunday Times that the “very serious volume of people coming to the country is now having a real impact” on levels of homelessness.
Both the President and the Taoiseach are in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, which takes place tomorrow.
Speaking after addressing the UN yesterday, President Higgins was asked if he believed there was a link between rising homelessness and asylum seekers.
“No, I do not,” he said.
“I also have a very definite view that I expressed before in relation to the approach to housing.
“I think that the approaches so far have been both limited and damaged by the fact that they’re all responses to the market.”
President Higgins today addressed the United Nations Summit of the Future at the UN Headquarters in New York. You can read the President's speech at https://t.co/JBInRyFIZI pic.twitter.com/MVcXViKtD4
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) September 22, 2024
In response, Mr Harris said he stood by his comments and that “of course” a higher population has an impact on demand for housing.
“In fairness to President Higgins, I think the way the issue was put to him was not what I said in The Sunday Times,” he said.
“But I did absolutely make the point that there is no doubt that there is a link between the migration challenge we face and the homeless challenge.
“If you look at the figures, for example, for the month of July, the single biggest reason people gave for presenting at Dublin Homeless Service was exiting Direct Provision.”
Today, Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD co-chaired the #SOTF Interactive Dialogue on Multilateralism for Int’l Peace and Security with ?? @PresidentBio.
?? looks forward to engaging at all levels to ensure that #multilateralism works for all, this week and beyond. pic.twitter.com/7ziTTv1GQu
— Ireland at UN (@IrishMissionUN) September 22, 2024
Figures from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive show that in May, June and July, exiting direct provision was the leading cause for homelessness in Ireland - all at least 30%.
“The point I was making, and I stand by very, very much so, is that over the last number of years, we’ve seen a growing population," Simon Harris said.
“Over the last number of years, we’ve seen many people come to our country. I did point out in that interview and reiterating it today, immigration is a good thing,” the Taoiseach added
“There’s absolutely no doubt that a rising population and a rising number of people coming to our country, of course, has an impact on supply,” he said.
In July, there were 14,429 people living in emergency accommodation in Ireland.
Main image: Split of President Higgins and Taoiseach Simon Harris. Images by: Áras an Uachtaráin and Ireland at the UN.
Reporting by James Wilson and Andrew Lowth.
