Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and it is something to which I am very committed. As Taoiseach, I was anxious to promote the idea that there would be a recognition and an acknowledgement of the role that many communities the length and breadth of the country have played in welcoming Ukrainians who were fleeing from a most vicious war perpetrated by Russia and Putin. There was a €50 million community recognition fund that was administered by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, and her Department. We will be introducing further supports for communities and we may provide this more directly to the communities. It was done via local authorities the last time and it was okay. Approximately 30% of projects are complete and we hope to get them all completed by the end of the year. However, I would like a more direct approach - modh díreach - on this.

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