Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt that accommodating huge numbers of Ukrainians and international protection applicants is a massive undertaking for local communities. That is why I am so pleased the Government has recognised that undertaking through the community recognition fund. Our national response, challenging as it has been, would be nothing without the co-operation and the support of local communities, groups, families and businesses. In my own constituency, and in particular in the areas I represent in Clondalkin and Saggart, we have been playing a really significant role in the national response to both the war in Ukraine and in supporting international protection applicants coming here to seek refuge in Dublin and in Dublin Mid-West in particular. I have been working closely with the Minister to make sure my clubs and community initiatives were recognised for their support to these new communities. We received a well-deserved €3.3 million just last week under the new community integration recognition fund for projects in Clondalkin, Saggart and Rathcoole. Some €1.25 million was allocated to the small villages of Saggart, Rathcoole and Citywest, and €2.1 million was allocated to Clondalkin. That money will go towards clubs like Round Towers GAA, Knockmitten United FC, Rathcoole Football Club, and St. Mary's GAA club. It will go towards projects like Clondalkin's Global Garden and local Wi-Fi initiatives, towards new community resources, including upgrades to parks in Citywest and Rathcoole, a long-awaited new, age friendly centre in Clondalkin, and the Saggart Schoolhouse Community Centre. It will be well invested into the roots of my community, whose members are supporting the new community.

I am involved in the organising committee for Corkagh Park's Darkness Into Light event. As anyone who has ever been involved in a charity event knows, it can only happen because of the support of volunteers. This year, more than half of our volunteers - 50 people - joined us from the Citywest reception centre through the national volunteering database, I-VOL. These were 50 international protection applicants; so-called single men. Their assistance on the day was absolutely invaluable and it was the perfect example of community integration. At a time when we are hearing so much negativity, it is really important to call out the positive news stories too. This was absolutely one of them. We have an international, legal and moral obligation to support these people but they do not have any obligation to support us back and yet so many of them do. So many of them are giving their skills, talents and time to us, whether that is through volunteering opportunities like Corkagh Park's Darkness Into Light event, helping Tidy Towns committees in Saggart or Clondalkin, or getting involved as they did in the Christmas fair in Saggart Village residents' association this winter.

Accommodation is a massive challenge but many people arriving to our shores will help us with our other challenges. Like the young Syrian woman who arrived into Ireland 18 months ago and only this month received an award from the Royal Hibernian Academy, RHA, as an emerging artist, many will bring creativity and talents to our shore. Many will help so many of our industries that are crying out for workers such as the retail and hospitality industries and, of course, the construction industry. I recently met with representatives of St. Andrew's Resource Centre based in Pearse Street and they run an incredible education and training hub. They have a huge range of short courses of which people coming into Ireland can avail to help train or reskill to work in those industries crying out for workers. The centre does a specific five-day services and cleaning skills course, a 15-day construction skills course, and a 15-day retrofitting skills course, and it provides free training opportunities for unemployed people, for people on low-incomes, but also to asylum seekers. These kinds of courses really need to be advertised among international protection applicants once they are here long enough to be able to work. I know many of them are doing that.

We have heard an awful lot of information today. Information is key to ensuring there is not a vacuum, to counteracting disinformation and to community engagement. The information provided here today by three different Ministers needs to be provided to communities where new accommodation centres are being established.

I thank everyone involved in our front-line response. In particular, I thank all of the south Dublin volunteers who have maintained such a positive, energetic presence in Citywest these past few years.

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