OVER 74K HOUSED IN STATE FUNDED LODGING

NEW figures have revealed the spread of refugees and international protection seekers across the country.

Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman confirmed the figures to Social Democrat TD Gary Gannon.

However, Deputy Gannon told The Irish Daily Star that he is unhappy with how the figures were given to him, noting that he did not receive figures for Dublin based on postcodes as he had requested.

Minister O’Gorman explained that his Department is accommodating over 74,000 refugees and International Protection Applicants (IPAs) in Statefunded accommodation.

In Dublin, Dun-Laoghaire/ Rathdown County Council has accommodated the fewest number of Ukrainian refugees at 578.

In total, some 7,026 Ukrainian refugees have moved into accommodation in Dublin. This is the highest number in any of the 26 counties. ‘STEP UP’: TD Gary Gannon

Accommodation

This is followed by Kerry (6,016), Donegal (4,883) and Cork (4,512).

The counties with the fewest Ukrainian refugees are Longford (171), Kildare (218) and Laois (293).

A total of 49,227 Ukrainian refugees are in State-provided accommodation. In addition, 23,383 international protection applicants are currently being accommodated in Ireland.

Dublin is currently accommodating 8,724 asylum seekers in 45 properties.

Minister O’Gorman confirmed that 222 people are being accommodated in CHO6, which encompasses Wicklow, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin South East.

Some 3,952 IPAs have been homed in 19 properties in CHO7 (Kildare/West Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City, Dublin South West), while 4,550 people have been accommodated in 24 properties in CHO9 (Dublin North, Dublin North Central, Dublin North West).

Cork is providing accommodation to the second largest number of asylum seekers with 1,792 IPAs in 10 properties.

This is followed by Meath (1,357 people in seven properties), Wicklow (1,144 people in eight properties) and Donegal (1,108 people in 11 properties).

Property

Longford is accommodating the fewest number of IPAs, with 71 people currently living in one property. This is followed by Cavan (132 people in three properties),

Roscommon (149 people in two properties) and Leitrim (161 people in one property).

Mr Gannon told The

Irish Daily Star that he has resubmitted the question to Minister O’Gorman, requesting the figures for Dublin by postcode, not by CHO area. He explained: “It is very telling that the Department

chose not to give me those figures by postcode.

“Every community has a responsibility to step up here. It is difficult when you see hotels such as the Jury’s in Ballsbridge lying idle.

“If we are talking about a collective national shoulder to the wheel, then every stratum of society needs to step up.”