Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)

As every Member today has done, I condemn the barbaric events at Citywest and, more recently, in Drogheda, County Louth. I want to express my gratitude to the members of An Garda Síochána and the emergency services for their swift actions. However, it should not have come to this. As I said on 18 September, there is a real risk to social cohesion if we do not put our house in order in a fair and humane manner as quickly as possible. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, and the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, for the detailed updates they provided to us this afternoon and the briefing document, which I skimmed through. I am grateful for that. There is probably a public relations piece in terms of the information given to us and getting that out into the wider community so that people are aware that huge efforts are being made by the international protection team and the ministerial team. However, as our population is increasing rapidly, I sought information previously on capacity audits in the areas of housing, healthcare, education and transport in order to determine in advance the services that are required for those who legitimately apply for and qualify for international protection supports but also for the communities that will host international protection applicants.

The other area I queried previously is that of critical skills audits. That links in with the issuing of work permits. I am somewhat concerned that there may be a crossover between using an international protection application route disingenuously where a work permit application may be appropriate, albeit more timely and at a cost. It is possible that avenue is being used disingenuously. I wonder whether a critical skills audit is being carried out to determine sector by sector the number of migrant workers we require. I note that Brazil, Georgia and India were mentioned earlier as countries of origin. I am not sure whether that was for work permit applications or international protection. There are two countries in particular which have areas where their geography, geology and demographics are changing very rapidly because of large corporations moving in looking to increase output and productivity. Farmland is being taken over, populations are being moved to urban areas which are overpopulated and then people are forced to leave their country of origin. That links in to the climate piece as well. There is a much bigger picture here.

Another concern is whether there are robust checking mechanisms in place with the Department of Social Protection. Perhaps reforms are needed there as well. Many small businesses in County Meath cite an unavailability of workers who will work more than 18.5 hours a week, so there are some issues there.

I will point out some glaring surprises. It is unusual for ordinary people in my own area to raise flags with me on the issue of migration but two cases come to mind. The question has been voiced to me about how accommodation offers and expressions of interest can be fast-tracked for international protection applicants but previously they have not been sought nor offered for people who are on local authority housing lists. Another issue I would like to point out is, as of this evening, I can book a two-night break in the Hilton in Kyiv-----

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