Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

It was an absolute disgrace to leave hundreds of asylum seekers vulnerable under tents on the streets. I welcome the proposal to look at the issue of empty buildings, something for which we have called for a long time, including office buildings that are not being used. I draw the Taoiseach's attention to the fact there is an empty office block on Setanta Place, just off Kildare Street, which has been sitting empty - I think it is a Government building - around the corner from Leinster House. It is several storeys high. We should investigate, as a matter of urgency, whether that could be repurposed.

The community recognition fund to support communities that are welcoming and assisting the integration of asylum seekers is a very good idea. What is not so good is we have maxed out on the money coming out from it. That fund should be immediately replenished so money is available to get in ahead of time to support community groups and organisations that are willing to assist in the integration of asylum seekers or Ukrainian refugees.

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