Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I note what the Senator said about Ukrainians coming here. In respect of Ukrainians who are beneficiaries of temporary protection and international protection applications, the vast majority of Irish people are extremely welcoming. The response of Ireland to applicants for asylum or temporary protection is, in comparison with other European countries, much more charitable and compassionate. That is my assessment of it.

The Senator spoke about how Ukrainians arriving into an area, and I am sure the same would apply to international protection applicants, can improve an area by getting numbers up in a school. They are not factors I take into account. I spent €1 billion last year on Ukrainian accommodation and €1 billion last year on international protection accommodation. I have to get those numbers down. If I do not, we will be spending €2 billion, €4 billion or €6 billion. It is not sustainable. To do that, we need to recognise that people are entitled to temporary accommodation while they are making their applications for international protection or 90 days of accommodation if the are beneficiaries of temporary protection and after that they have to move on or make their own way if they get status.