Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Lannon and Mr. Henderson for their presentations. I know Dr. Lannon for some time and he has gotten to know me. His commitment to support those people over a number of years must be acknowledged. At a time when many did not stand up for such unfortunate people, he and Mr. Henderson did.

The Chairman asked a number of questions I intended to ask. We have had experiences in County Roscommon and not too far from there with centres. What often concerns me is the integration and support. It is very good initially, but as time goes on it disappears, although not fully. I fear there is a gulf developing between local communities and people in such centres. Is that something either of the witnesses has come across or is concerned about?

Regarding individuals who complain about their accommodation or food, I am aware of one case going back some years. We all accept that things have improved considerably. We have the White Paper. We need to get the recommendations of the White Paper implemented as quickly as possible. A person was brought to me who could not adapt to Irish food and the person was tossed out on the street. I accept a lot has changed but that was the reality. We have moved away from that. Do we have any similar situations at the moment? I believe that sort of outrageous carry-on has disappeared.

Regarding integration and the availability of crèches and playschools in towns, I do not think a realistic effort is being made to integrate children from those communities into local crèches. In some cases, people locally in the community were prepared to do it, but the State was not always prepared to go for that option. The preference was to provide a crèche within the accommodation rather than in the community. Surely integration is the way to do it, to bring refugee children into the local creche or playschool where they can interact with the local children. Those type of bonds are great. If we look at people from other communities who come here because of war or whatever else, sometimes they are talented sportspeople and they get into a local girl's or boy's football team and that is fantastic integration for them. Is that an area where we still have to do an awful lot of work? There is no point in people saying they will help people when they arrive in a town or village and that they will do this, that or the other, but as time goes by the support wanes.

The Chairman has asked the other questions and they have been answered fairly well. I did raise driving licences at a meeting previously. There are significant issues in that regard. In general, improvements are taking place. I am very much of the point of view that if we give commitments to take in those unfortunate people, we should look after them to the very best of our ability and not leave them suffering in any way because they have gone through an awful lot.