Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The people of Roscrea have already responded in a kind and generous manner by welcoming hundreds of displaced people into their town. A direct provision centre already exists. Local factories and businesses employ large numbers of foreign nationals. Asylum seekers are accommodated in numerous houses around the town. As a result, medical services are pushed beyond their limit. The Garda station has been downgraded and has no overnight Garda presence. Schools in the town are already beyond capacity. Moves are under way to house 400 Ukrainian people in a former convent building. Roscrea is already overflowing. Services cannot cope with the increased population and it is the local people of Roscrea who are suffering as a result. The sheer scale and magnitude of this exercise will overwhelm services and infrastructure. The size of the proposed resettlement is completely out of proportion with the town's population. Councillor Lee and I have had several discussions with local groups. People understand that we have a moral obligation to assist but they are opposed to such a large influx of people with a high dependence on support services that do not exist. Will the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, confirm that a meeting will be held immediately with local groups and public representatives?

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