Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I will raise an issue I have raised with the Taoiseach previously and which he spoke about earlier, that is, the ongoing failure by the Government to provide adequate accommodation for those who come here seeking refuge and are in the international protection system. I agree with him that it is inhumane and unsustainable to have people camping on the streets or in public parks, but it is failure of Government and the lack of alternative options for people that have caused this situation. It is simply not an appropriate response to keep fencing off areas of the canal, public parks and public spaces in this city. A group of men have been forced to sleep in tents on Wilton Terrace at Leeson Street Bridge. I have been told by our great volunteers who are working to support the men that they have today been ordered by the Garda to move on but they have nowhere to go. That is not appropriate. It is not a humane or sustainable policy for the accommodation of those who come here seeking asylum. What is the Government's longer term, or even its medium- or short-term, plan to provide decent and sustainable accommodation for those who come here seeking refuge?

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