Pushing targets for delivery out to 2028, while we are in the midst of a crisis, points to a government that is floundering
The only surprise in the government’s new accommodation strategy for international protection applicants is that this flimsy document took so long to produce, according to Social Democrats Jennifer Whitmore.
“Integration Minister Roderick O’Gorman has been promising to publish this accommodation strategy for months. Yet, after all of that time, there are no concrete proposals for the short to medium term.
“The Minister tells us he will deliver 14,000 State-owned beds by 2028. Yet, we have been waiting since 2021 for the Minister to deliver approximately 3,500 beds in six State-owned reception and integration centres – and the Minister can’t even tell us where those beds will be located.
“Elsewhere, the plan promises to expedite the construction of modular units. The Minister seems to have forgotten that the 700 modular beds, that were promised for Ukrainian refugees back in 2021, have yet to be delivered. In fact, to date barely 50 per cent of those have been completed.
“Another pillar of the plan is the conversion of commercial buildings, something that is already happening. Notably, the government is now preferring to convert commercial buildings, many of which were never intended for residential use, rather than refurbishing State-owned buildings – like Baggot St hospital.
“The long overdue strategy published today is underwhelming and deeply concerning. Pushing targets for delivery out to 2028, while we are in the midst of a crisis, points to a government that is floundering.
“It is a truism that this government excels at publishing glossy plans but fails miserably at delivery. However, in this instance, the plan is threadbare and delivery non-existent.
“Incoming Taoiseach Simon Harris has today echoed my appeal for the government to move from a crisis response to a medium and long-term plan. Despite this encouraging sentiment, there is little evidence in today’s plan that the government is changing course and getting to grips with this issue.
“In fact, the only surprise in the government’s new strategy is that this flimsy document took so long to produce.”
27 March, 2024
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