Devastating figures of migrants now living in homelessness – pilot models for vulnerable groups needed
Devastating figures of migrants now living in homelessness - pilot models for vulnerable groups needed - The Labour Party
Labour’s housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan TD has expressed his concern at news that single adults exiting international protection accommodation are now at enormous risk of entering homelessness.
Deputy Sheehan said:
“It’s disgusting and disgraceful that 46% of adults in homeless accommodation were not Irish citizens – we are failing migrants in this country.
“Having one person living in homelessness is a national disgrace, but the fact that over three years on from the invasion of Ukraine and this Government has failed to factor in increased housing need is horrific.
“There is now not only symbolic exclusion and deterrence theatre. People are literally being left out in the cold. This is in spite of the fact that all the evidence suggests we need migration to protect our economy, to support the delivery of infrastructure and housing investments, and that’s before we even mention sectors like hospitality, health and social care that are crying out for workers.
“The fact that people arriving into this country need housing should come as no surprise to Minister O’Callaghan or this Government. Since the war in Ukraine broke out, we have seen zero planning or preparedness from Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil. We now that the number of IPAS applicants has been falling already in 2025 compared to 2024, yet no provision appears to have been made to deal with their housing needs.
“Earlier this year I wrote to the Minister for Housing asking him to come forward with a pilot model for vulnerable groups at risk of homelessness in this State, like those living in State care and migrants to prevent people going straight from Direct Provision into homelessness. Yet nothing has been done.
“We now have a shameful situation where not only is this Government leaning into anti migrant rhetoric, we are also literally pushing people seeking refuge in Ireland onto our streets.
“Rather than introducing measures to collect accommodation fees from people living in IPAS centres – a measure that will likely cost more than the revenue raised – this Government should be working on long term sustainable housing options for everyone living in Ireland.
“Rhetoric from members of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is fanning the flames of anti-migrant sentiment and if these people are being left to languish on our streets, I shudder to think of the deep and serious threat they are living with.”