Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Reliable sources working in homelessness services in Cork city tell me a significant influx of people from Cork county is currently in search of emergency accommodation. Bed and breakfast operators that previously catered for people are providing less and less accommodation, seemingly for two reasons. The first is that as we move towards the summer season, these operators are deciding to prioritise tourism and, second, an increasing number of bed and breakfast providers are being booked by the international protection accommodation services, IPAS, to accommodate refugees from Ukraine. The State must stop pitting refugees against other homeless people. Solutions need to be provided that will benefit the victims both of the housing crisis and of Putin's war. Will the Taoiseach please look into the local issue I have raised and take steps to ensure this problem is resolved?

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