Fianna Fáil TD James O’Connor has criticised the “dangerous” and "unethical model" the Government is using to tackle the Ukrainian refugee accommodation crisis.
He told the Irish Mirror that “an economic model” has emerged that has allowed people to buy hotels and use them for accommodation.
The Cork East TD even went as far as to suggest that the manner in which the Government has handled the crisis led to a drop in support for Fianna Fáil in recent opinion polls.
Read More: 'Embarrassing' refugee protests in East Wall, Dublin slammed by locals
The Government is currently scrambling to find accommodation for growing numbers of people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
It is expected that up to 72,000 people will arrive in Ireland before the end of the year.
Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe spoke out about the Government’s response to the crisis, as he expressed concerns about the lack of service available to new arrivals.
“The number a country or a county intakes should match its ability to provide not just accommodation but the other metrics of care and support,” he said.
Another Fianna Fáil TD has now also raised concerns about the Government’s approach.
Mr O’Connor told the Irish Mirror that while he “fully supports Cathal”, he does not agree that the number of arrivals should be capped.
However, he expressed concerns that hotels are being acquired that are “direct provision in disguise”.
“Cathal touched a nerve. He is reflecting the reality of what people are saying,” he said.
“What is happening is that the Government has created a model that I think is profoundly unethical where there are people purchasing hotels and looking to purchase derelict buildings, like nursing homes or convents, for the purpose of providing direct provision style accommodation.
“It is not given that title, but that is what it is in disguise.
“The reality is, irrespective of people’s views on Ireland’s capacity to provide accommodation, the way it is being handled at the moment, I regard it as very, very poor.”
He continued: “We are going about it in a dangerous way. We have created an economic model. When hotels are being bought by private investors for the purpose of providing accommodation for refugees, we have created an economic model. It’s not good and the tension on the ground in those areas is unbelievable.
“But the reason the public is as angry as there are is because access to public services, like the provision of schools places in areas where there was already high demand, is causing headaches”
The Cork East TD went as far as saying that the Government’s response to the refugee crisis has led to a drop in support for Fianna Fáil in Munster.
A recent Red C poll for the Business Post stated that support for the party stands at 15% nationally, while it stood at 17% in Munster.
Mr Connor also called for rules stating that people can only work for up to 20 hours per week while earning social welfare.
He said that this is “degrading” to workers who want and are able to work.
“In hospitality, we have really skilled people who are here and could be here for the next 12 or 18 months. Let them work. They want to work,” he said.
“I think the Fianna Fáil drop in support in Munster at the weekend [in the Business Post poll] was partly as a consequence of the refugee situation. It is unspoken anger, but it is out there.”
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