Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question and for raising this issue. As a country of emigrants, we have always welcomed people into our country - those who wish to live, work and set down roots here. We have also welcomed and will continue to welcome those who seek our help and seek international protection be it those coming from Ukraine who are in receipt of temporary protection or international protection applicants.

As a country we have seen a significant increase in those seeking protection in recent years. We have gone from on average about 3,000 people seeking international protection to last year 15,000 people reaching our shores and this year to date it is over 10,000 people. At every step of the way we have done everything in our power to ensure that we are committed to and respond to our international obligations, that we provide support, that we provide a roof over people's heads and that we make sure that people who need our help receive it. That will not change. Of course, there are pressures in moving from a figure of 3,000 to 15,000 in a year. Of course, there would be pressures with 100,000 people coming from Ukraine. However, we have responded to this challenge. The people of this country have responded to this challenge and we will continue to respond to this challenge.

The Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, working with his Department and supported by the entire Government, is working to identify new centres and new accommodation. Yes, that includes tented accommodation. It is not what we would want but it is better to have a roof over people's head and to support them in whatever way that we can. Yes, there are real pressures at the moment on international protection and accommodation. However, let me reassure the Deputy that if the Department is unable to provide accommodation for anyone, mitigation measures will be put in place. We saw that before and it will happen again.

I again reassure Deputies that my Department and An Garda Síochána are working closely with the international protection system to make sure that any person who is vulnerable, that any person or any centre that is under attack or feels that they may be under attack is supported by members of An Garda Síochána. Last Thursday, when things escalated and where there was concern among the migrant community, members of An Garda Síochána responded immediately. In those centres in our city centre where concerns were raised and where people were rightly fearful, members of An Garda Síochána responded to keep them safe. The feedback I have received has been nothing but positivity in terms of the support that people are receiving not just from gardaí, but from the vast majority of people in this country.

Yes, there are significant challenges; I do not think anybody has shied away from that. However, we will fulfil our obligations and we will absolutely make sure that those who are entitled to and those who deserve international protection will receive that from us.

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