The Government “has absolutely no intention of becoming a landlord,” the Tánaiste said, ahead of a Cabinet meeting where ministers were scheduled to discuss new plans to charge some international protection applicants for accommodation, reports Breaking News.
Speaking to reporters outside Government Buildings on Wednesday, Simon Harris said: “I reckon, the overwhelming majority of people in this country believe that if you’re earning money, you should be asked to pay towards your keep,” reports Breaking News.
However, the quality of migration accommodation has been criticised, with the chief executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Teresa Buczkowska, telling RTÉ’s Drivetime on Tuesday that people are living in “overcrowded situations” and children are “unable to learn how to walk because there is not enough space for them,” reports Breaking News.
She asked that if the Government plans to charge for accommodation, would they comply with the legal obligations required of landlords to provide suitable living conditions, reports Breaking News.
Mr Harris said the Government will ask those with an income “to pay a small contribution, about €15 a week for someone on about €150”.
He added: “It’s not going to change that relationship in terms of becoming a landlord,” reports Breaking News.
The Tánaiste argued that allowing working international protection applicants to receive free accommodation “simply defies common sense, it defies social cohesion, it defies fairness”.
He warned that if it “doesn’t end” it creates a “vacuum” that could be filled by far-right “populists,” reports Breaking News.
The policy is one of several migration and asylum issues set to be discussed at Cabinet, which the Taoiseach described as a “modest tightening-up” of Ireland’s policies.
Asked whether the measures were a reaction to major plans announced last week by UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to change British border security, Mr Martin said many of his Government’s new policies were “conceived in advance of that,” reports Breaking News.
He described the “broader issue of migration” as being “positive in terms of our economy and our society,” adding: “We only have to look at our health services, or indeed the technology sector, to see that,”
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