Middle class parts of the country should house more asylum seekers, Mary Lou McDonald has said. 

Sinn Féin has updated its policy on immigration and is urging the Government to consider the impact of asylum seekers on local services.

It believes the availability of GPs and school places, proximity to public transport and existing levels of disadvantage should be taken into account when areas for accommodation centres are being chosen.

Deputy Lou McDonald said far too many accommodation centres have been located in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

“Obviously, some areas - and you can objectively measure this - have better access to services, to infrastructure,” she said.

“They are better off.

“And yes, it is our belief that it is a fairer ask that these centres be located in communities such as those.”

Gardaí in Coolock. Photo: Eamonn Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

When asked whether the former Crown Paints Factory in Coolock, Dublin is a suitable location to accommodate international protection applicants, Deputy McDonald said it was not.

“If we were starting at the start would we have chosen that as a location? No,” she said.

“As of now, we’re not the Government and, as of now, contracts have been signed, the Government has indicated that this was going ahead - that’s the situation now.”

Last week, Deputy McDonald told The Hard Shoulder she condemned the scenes of violence in Coolock but urged the Government to “listen to and respond” to local concerns.

Main image: Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald. Picture by: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie