Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

About 80% of refugees have been put up in facilities outside of Dublin. That means the knock-on effect on those areas is particularly harsh when it comes to tourism. The ITIC also estimates there could be a loss of up to €1 billion in earnings and hundreds of job losses. That represents a serious threat to the industry. The Minister said the Government is looking at a rapid house building programme, but in all fairness, how long have we been hearing that? As the Minister said, the pressure will really be on in earnest in early spring. I do not get from what the Minister just said that there is a plan in place already that will be fit for purpose come the springtime to accommodate refugees fleeing conflict anywhere other than hotels. That is going to have a detrimental effect on our tourism for 2023.

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