Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too want to compliment the Irish people. They have shown so much generosity. I have received several phone calls about housing and people who are willing to take in families. Up to last night we have had 14,611 Ukrainians arrive in Ireland. In the last few days Carlow has had 49 arrive, including a baby and 21 families. I compliment the agencies such as the Carlow County Development Partnership, Annette Fox and her team, Brian O'Donovan in Carlow County Council and his team, and of course Olwyn and the team in Intreo. They have all been working together. We need a co-ordinator here. All these agencies are doing a great job but there needs to be one lead agency. I ask that Carlow and other counties get a co-ordinator who can get all the wrap-around supports and work with the agencies that are doing a great job to lead the response.

I have been contacted about primary and secondary school places. I have also been asked about uniforms and books. The main issue is resources. The other thing is doctors. That has come up today again in respect of general practitioners and hospital appointments. I ask that we look at communication. There should be a direct line or even just one direct number through to a co-ordinating group that will lead this and provide the information people need. I ask for that to be done as soon as possible. When we received our 49 Ukrainians into Carlow they had come by ferry through Rosslare but there was no one-stop shop there. It is important that we try to do our best. The Minister spoke about this. It is only over a month and we have to be appreciate that everybody is certainly doing their best. I can only compliment everybody.

Last night I was on a walk in Carlow organised by Mairead Byrne in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. It was so nice to see communities come out. The support from people has been amazing. I want to mention the Red Cross. There is so much goodwill from the Minister and all the different Departments. There just needs to be one lead in the Government to co-ordinate everything. There should be one co-ordinator to lead in each county including Carlow, Kilkenny and all the other counties. That needs to be done.

See this speech in context