Three Lunchtime Live listeners have offered fully functional Bed & Breakfast accommodation to the Government for asylum seekers – and heard nothing back.
It comes after it emerged asylum seekers were forced to sleep rough in Dublin last night because there was nowhere for them to go.
The Citywest transit hub had to close to new adult entries yesterday and there are fears many more asylum seekers will face sleeping rough in the coming weeks.
On Monday, Kerry B&B owner Noel Spillane told the show he specifically refurbished his property to take in refugees – but has heard nothing back from the authorities for months.
Yesterday two more B&B owners got in touch, taking the total number of beds offered on the show to 59.
Opening the show this afternoon, presenter Andrea Gilligan said Government needs to work with people to get asylum seekers off the streets.
“These properties are in well-serviced areas with local transport and schools available to take children – and nobody has got back to them,” she said.
“So, 59 people, they told me in the past two days on this show, they could accommodate tonight. As of tonight, they are that ready to go.
“So, on the one hand, I’m hearing that there’s nowhere to accommodate people and people are sleeping rough on the streets and in the space of two days, Lunchtime Live listeners have 59 beds they can tell me about.”
Picture by: Annascaul House B&BAndrea said she has received more emails from people with accommodation ready to go this morning.
“One of those callers actually made contact with the relevant agencies over five months ago and still has heard nothing back,” she said.
“I understand there are checks and assessments that the Government and the agencies need to do to assure accommodation that is being offered is appropriate accommodation - I get that - but these are three former Bed & Breakfasts.
“Like they were approved and signed off on to accommodate tourists in this country so I don’t understand how it takes five months to check if they can be used in this case.
“Particularly when we’re hearing people have actually slept rough on the streets and that now seems to be the alternative.”
If you have offered up accommodation for asylum seekers and are waiting to hear back from the agencies, send us in an email LunchtimeLive@Newstalk.com or text 53106.
