Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Allowing speculation and rumour to circulate in any community with respect to where international protection accommodation service centres or any forms of asylum accommodation are going to be located is never a good idea. I am sure the Tánaiste will agree with me on that. To avoid those outcomes, however, we must ensure the Department of integration and its community engagement unit are resourced and staffed to such a degree that it can offer swift, accurate and comprehensive information when questions of this kind are put to it by communities through their constituency TDs. At present, the process is far too slow. The replies at times are misleading. I am concerned about that. I had that experience last week but I am not the only one. An Independent colleague also received a misleading response. That is very concerning, particularly at this level when we have a job to do. Will the Tánaiste ensure that the staffing and resourcing issues necessary to help communities that are living in the shadow of rumours are addressed, particularly with respect to the community engagement unit? I want to be in a position to assist anyone who asks me a question by providing him or her with factual information. However, it has to be clear and concise and not misleading information.

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