Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this debate on the co-ordination of services for people seeking protection in Ireland. It is important to acknowledge how Ireland has benefited from growing diversity over the last two decades in particular. New communities have added to the rich tapestry of Irish culture and Irish life, just as the Irish abroad made huge contributions in the US, Canada, Australia and, of course, in our nearest neighbour, the UK. We should not forget the challenges faced by Irish people heading to the UK and elsewhere during those many decades. I know that volunteers, such as Margaret Brown in my constituency, are working with the Friends of the Forgotten Irish group in the UK to help those who still face challenges to this day in areas including housing and healthcare.

New communities play a critical role in supporting many sectors here, including in our hospitals, caring professions, the construction industry and many other areas, including the service industry. Leaving aside the issues noted concerning the direct provision system, the processing of international protection applicants and the processing of visas for people coming to work in Ireland have been managed reasonably well. In the past year, however, we have seen a massive movement of people. This has been caused, in the main, by the Russian invasion of and subsequent war in Ukraine. The movement and weaponisation of people is a Russian objective. Putin tried to weaponise energy, and failed. He tried to weaponise food, and failed. He continues, though, to weaponise people in an attempt to destabilise Europe and compel EU countries to end their support for an independent Ukraine.

It is notable that some speakers failed to acknowledge the cause of this crisis and the same speakers present simple solutions to the complex issues we face. Playing politics with the issue is extremely unhelpful and plays into the Russian agenda. There should be a national effort to deal with this crisis. Since 24 February 2022, almost 75,000 people have come to Ireland, with more than 50,000 people from Ukraine fleeing Russia's invasion. The Government and, more importantly, officials on the front line have made massive efforts to deal with this crisis. Of course, there are significant issues and many of them have been aired today. We must also acknowledge some successes along the way, particularly in our education system. Teachers and school communities across Ireland have made enormous efforts to accommodate children in the education system. I put this on the record, along with our appreciation. Equally, the hospitality sector deserves great credit for stepping up. We know there are challenges there with payment and that issue has been articulated today and at other times. That needs to be resolved urgently.

Communities across Ireland have made massive efforts to make people welcome here.

In my constituency in Dún Laoghaire there are several hundred host families. Communities have come together, as have religious organisations, to try to integrate and welcome new arrivals into the local area. That is very welcome and has been replicated right across the country.

However, many communities that we have seen protest - although not all - have legitimate concerns. These concerns have been acknowledged today and the underlying issues must be dealt with quickly. There are areas where service providers can do better. We have heard about that as well. Communications, for instance, from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and others need to improve. I hope the Minister will note that feedback. Security at reception centres also needs to improve. Resources must be provided to expand healthcare and community services. I welcome the details of funding announced today, which will be on top of the €50 million committed to direct support under the community recognition fund.

Last week, I raised the need to provide additional resources to speed up the processing of asylum applications. I welcome the confirmation from the Minister for Justice today that claims will be processed within three months, rather than the 18 months to two years it took previously. It is important to note that the asylum process includes robust checks on all applicants, fingerprinting, cross-checking against international databases and due process. Where applicants are successful, Ireland must welcome them. We have heard our international obligations and we have signed up to them. Nobody disputes that. Equally, however, if somebody is refused, there is a process there for that too. Many times that involves a return back to their home country.

My colleagues, such as Deputy Robert Troy, noted the need for an improved system to support the immigration of the skilled people we need to work in critical areas such as healthcare, transport and construction. We need to make greater progress on that. I know that does not fit squarely into the Minister's Department but where people are willing and able to work and have great qualifications, and where we have skill shortages here, we need to facilitate that at a greater pace than we are doing.

There is no doubt that the next 12 to 18 months will be extremely challenging but we will work together right across the House. If Deputies and parties are willing to work together, in a national effort, we can get through this as we have done. We have accommodated so many people in so many different areas and sectors. It can be done. There is a will and if there is co-operation across the Government and unity of purpose with the Government, that will assist.

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