Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Earlier today, I spoke on the topic of neutrality. At the risk of repeating myself, I have to say that a peaceful resolution to all conflicts must be our main focus. The scenes we are witnessing can easily make us question everything, but a resolution that involves the withdrawal of Russia must be the main objective. The scenes we have witnessed were unthinkable for the 21st century, but here we are, faced with a tyrannical regime that is hell-bent on imposing an agenda that seeks to impose its dominance. It cares little for the people it displaces, the families it tears apart and the savagery it imposes. That is why we must play our part.

Ireland has not fallen short when it comes to helping people seeking refuge from the horrors being inflicted upon them by the Russian Government. The response of the Irish people has been extraordinary. Every community across this country will see similar levels of openness and compassion to those I have seen in County Tipperary, with people registering to open their homes to refugees while communities such as Fethard are coming up with initiatives to refurbish buildings to house larger numbers of refugees. The Presentation Convent building in Fethard is one example. This is Ireland at its best. This is a country that knows the impact of aggression and how to respond in a manner that has peace and security at heart.

I welcome the decision to lift visa requirements between Ukraine and Ireland to facilitate the entry of people to this country and to ease their situation as they settle into a foreign country while their own remains under constant attack. A couple of issues have been brought to my attention. They have to do with the systems that are being put in place to help integrate refugees, particularly in the areas of education and accommodation. I have been told that the provision of translation services for schools is not meeting the increased demand. There is uncertainty as to whether the Department intends to allocate additional funding to schools to provide for the demand that is being placed upon them or if it will come from the schools' budgets. Can the Ministers in question provide some clarity on this?

I also have questions about the co-ordinated response to accommodation. Are there plans for regional databases of houses available or households willing to take in refugees? This is a question that is being asked by a group involved in the refugee programme in the south east. I have been informed that there are schools in the south east making enquiries about accommodation for children who are in emergency accommodation presenting at schools. This is an undue burden for these schools to take upon themselves, but I understand that is the situation in which some find themselves. Has a database been put together that can match need with availability on an area-by-area or region-by-region basis and that can be accessed by people working to process and allocate resources to refugees? I would appreciate any clarity that I can get on these points.

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