James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of towns that have taken in large numbers of migrants in IPAS centres. My own home town of Youghal is one of the examples across the country that have taken a huge proportion, having lost almost 70% of our hotel bed capacity in that town. Not enough is being done to support towns where this has happened. Economically and socially for the local communities, the community recognition fund of €100 million simply does not cut it. Can the Government consider supporting these locations and helping much-needed reductions in tensions in these communities by assisting them in key projects around integration, community infrastructure, as well as sporting and other facilities? I reiterate that €100 million is simply not enough in comparison with what the IPAS contractors are in receipt of from the Government.

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