Lowry calls for separate fund to be set up for refugee homes
INDEPENDENT TD Michael Lowry has called for a special fund to house refugees separate from the Government’s existing housing budget.
Mr Lowry, who backed Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy in a Dáil motion of no confidence last night, said the Government needed to look at a separate housing capital fund “set aside for the purpose of housing refugees”.
“The housing of refugees is a very divisive issue.
I’ve heard it at meetings where people think money is coming out of housing budgets to house refugees,” the Tipperary deputy told the Irish Independent.
Mr Lowry said that, while he did not believe the Government was doing this, “the perception is there” that it was.
“There should be standalone budget for the accommodation of refugees and our other housing programme should be separate,” he added.
A Department of Justice spokesman said: “Where international protection applicants (also known as asylum seekers) avail of the offer of State-provided accommodation, the costs are met from the budget of the Department of Justice and Equality.”
Mr Lowry said he had not held talks with the Government about supporting Mr Murphy in the Dáil vote. He said the motion tabled by the Social Democrats was “ridiculous”.
“I think the timing of the motion was obviously placed to give advantage to whatever they call themselves [the Social Democrats] in the by-elections. The timing is a nonsense, it’s ridiculous,” he added.
“I supported Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen and every other day we had a crisis and high drama. I was solid in my support when others jumped ship. You have to be reliable and dependable.
“It is very easy for me to take credit for constituency projects I’ve delivered but you can’t run to the hills when the going gets tough.”