Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

We, in the Labour Party, agree with the Minister to extend the ARP scheme for property owners. We recognise that the monthly payments comprise a sizeable, significant fraction of the financial safety net that has been built for Ukrainian refugees. We believe that extending the scheme will allow its application to refugees who are still arriving into Ireland to have accommodation assistance and easier integration into society and the workforce. For those who are already in the country, of course, the ARP serves as an essential way to prevent them from falling into homelessness, as well as a tool to maintain basic needs and quality of life. We recognise that we need to align with the European Council’s formerly extended protection regime until March 2025. Allowing Ukrainian nationals to work without a work permit or a work visa will give them the tools that are necessary to succeed in Ireland and to contribute to the economy, which is an important part of that.

We must recognise all the other safeguarding measures that have been put in place, such as the jobseeker's allowance, the supplementary welfare allowance and many more. The ARP is just one of the tools in that, but it is one of the most important payments to help secure the basic human need of accommodation. That being said, it is important to mention that we need to be more pragmatic in addressing the safeguards in programmes for refugees who are not arriving from Ukraine and to ensure they have equal supports to succeed and grow in Ireland. Many of them do not have the benefits to work, receive housing or weekly payments, such as those received by Ukrainian nationals. While it is fundamental that the Government and Minister are looking into the extension of the ARP scheme, and, as I said, we will support this, we should also highlight that many refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland are not only receiving substantially fewer benefits, but are also at direct risk of hate crimes, such as in the arson attacks we witnessed earlier this month. In Ireland, we need to maintain our humanitarian approach. All refugees and those coming here seeking asylum are people, of course, and should have equal rights and opportunities when working towards building a better life. We must strive to address the broader needs of all refugees in Ireland, where we can foster a society where everyone, regardless of origin, can thrive and contribute positively.

I am the only Member of the Upper House who is from Drogheda, even though I am from the Meath side of it, so it would be remiss of me to not reflect a little bit on that. In the last 24 hours, we have seen from some elected representatives, although not in this House, a lot of fanning the flame of fear. It is important that elected representatives are responsible in the language they use and in their conduct on social media. It is important that elected representatives, or those who are seeking to be elected representatives, show leadership in the community. It is important that Drogheda does not become the next Roscrea, or anywhere where something like that has happened.