Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Figures released to me show there are fewer asylum applicants and Ukrainians in State-funded accommodation today than a year ago. Almost 10,000 fewer people are being housed by the State than there were at the start of the year, with 85,215 in January and 76,087 now. This is a positive development but I was taken aback when I saw these figures and I think most people would be. The chaos splashed across the media presents a very different story. The Government's handling of this issue creates an impression of a system overwhelmed, a narrative the Government is happy to go along with. We have seen more and more hotel beds taken out of the system and tent encampments springing up across Dublin city as people are left to sleep on the streets. The Government owes the public and the House an explanation as to why, if fewer people are in State-funded accommodation today than a year ago, have we seen nothing but chaos.

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