The issue of homelessness and migration is not going away, Tánaiste Simon Harris has stated, while stressing that not everyone residing in emergency accommodation holds an automatic right to be housed by the State.
He made these remarks during an appearance on RTÉ’s Today with David McCullagh, where he was questioned about comments he made in an Irish Times interview last month, in which he noted that a “significant number” of people in emergency housing “don’t have a housing right in Ireland”, reports RTE.
Mr Harris responded: “I think there is a bit of nuance here”, reports RTE.
As Minister for Finance, he explained that although everyone is entitled to emergency accommodation, a 2012 circular clearly outlines the criteria required to qualify for State housing, including a residency condition.
He added that the Government plans to introduce primary legislation to make this position even more explicit, reports RTE.
Mr Harris emphasised that having a constructive debate is difficult unless people examine the actual makeup of homelessness and “indeed our migration situation”, reports RTE.
He pointed out that emergency accommodation currently shows roughly a 50/50 split between Irish citizens and non-Irish citizens, marking a shift from previous patterns.
“How can we, as evidence-based policy makers intend to make progress on both migration, homelessness and housing, if we just ignore that reality,” Mr Harris said, reports RTE.
When asked whether individuals with refugee status or foreign nationals holding work permits qualify for housing supports, Mr Harris indicated that, based on his understanding of Circular 41 (2012), a person must meet specific requirements to establish entitlement to local authority housing.
The minister described migration as a “really good thing”, yet noted that every 10,000 arrivals require an extra 3,000 homes, underscoring the need for a “clear national migration strategy” to address these linked challenges, reports RTE.
He called for a thorough examination of the work-permit system, including its implications for housing demand.
Ireland requires additional workers for its economy, he continued, but acknowledged that “we have to recognise it does have knock on consequences at a time when supply is so constrained in both public services and in housing,” reports RTE.
On the role of far-right groups in the debate, Mr Harris declared he has “no truck” with such individuals, pointing out that some have protested outside his home in balaclavas and issued threats against his children, reports RTE.
He expressed willingness to hear from those with legitimate concerns about migration.
“We have to take a balanced approach”, he said, reiterating that the issue simply will not disappear, reports RTE.
“I don’t like glib comments that attempt to shut down the debate, I think that there’s a lot of that experienced around migration in Ireland.”
The minister confirmed that a comprehensive National Migration Strategy will be released this year, which he presented as an effort to balance competing priorities, such as fulfilling international commitments, operating an efficient deportation process, and ensuring “we have the skills we need in our economy and in our country”, reports RTE.
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