Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Again, I welcome the initiative. However, I wish to issue a note of caution and concern regarding the significant number of people coming into the country, particularly Ukrainians. Somewhere in the region of 500 to 800 are coming in per week. Those seeking international protection and asylum seekers are coming in as well. A very large number of people are coming in. There are areas within the State that will not benefit from this community recognition fund, which amounts to €50 million over two years. I ask that there be additional funding for communities where new centres and other places of accommodation are being opened, if possible, because our communities will face further pressures in the next 12 months.

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