Taoiseach Micheál Martin agreed that the extreme right or other groups could “exploit” the homelessness of Ukrainian refugees to get their message across.
However, he insisted that Ireland will not remove people seeking refugees from the war in Ukraine.
The Cabinet Subcommittee on Ukraine will meet this Monday afternoon to discuss the severe housing shortage for refugees.
This weekend around 43 people had nowhere to sleep after arriving in Ireland.
Speaking to Cavan on Monday at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, the Taoiseach said there is a risk that far-right groups who say “Ireland is full” could use the current situation to legitimize their comments.
“That would be very, very regrettable. I think we have to draw heart from the fact that so many communities out there from the very beginning have responded very warmly. They won’t be on online platforms talking about their generosity and that sometimes gets missed in the narrative,” he added, reported Mirror.
Martin said he accepts that “we can do things better in terms of some of our systems,” reports Mirror.
He also said that the payment of 400 euros for those who welcome Ukrainian refugees in their homes “could be better”.
It is understood that the Cabinet sub-committee will consider whether these payments can be increased.
Although Mr. Martin would not be attracted by the number of additional lodging places that could be found, he noted that if the properties that have already been identified for reconfiguration can “come to fruition quickly,” it could provide a “significan” number of beds.
He insisted that Ireland had a “legal and moral obligation” to provide refuge to the Ukrainian people fleeing the war.
Asked if he was “embarrassed” that Ireland is unable to provide shelter to refugees, Martin said he “doesn’t look through that prism” and praised the Irish response to date.
Some 58,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland since the war began in February. More than 45,000 of these people are in state-provided housing. Another 15,000 people live in direct supply.
Additional temporary accommodation is due to open at Dublin Airport tonight to provide people with a place to sleep. Up to 200 can be accommodated here.
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