Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. A briefing that we received from the Minister and his Department indicated that the rapid-build homes would be in place by the end of last year. Initially the number for Cavan was 60. This was reduced to 28, but that is still 28 additional families. I am concerned that as many hotels that are housing refugees at the moment may not continue to do so past the end of March, there will be more demand for accommodation. Given the level of demand in the housing market, what plans are being put in place to address that issue?

In Cavan there is also considerable demand for preschool places. If children of preschool age arrive into the county, there will not be many places available for them. There is also high demand for secondary school places. I know of one school that already has 100 enrolments above its capacity for next year and that is just one school in the county. That is also happening in other schools, although the problem may reduce as students pick between different schools. Either way, with 28 additional families arriving, we need to ensure the children have school places.

I hear from local resource centres on a regular basis and they are also under pressure to provide services to the community at large and to the refugees that have come to live in the county from Syria and other places. They are lovely people who have integrated well but they need a lot more support.

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