Galway must do “everything it can” to make refugees from Ukraine welcome in Ireland, while the State needs to ensure they are properly supported with access to vital measures such as good-quality accommodation.
This is the view of People Before Profit Galway representative, Adrian Curran, who said the example of the communities in Newbridge and Ballygar in east Galway, who converted a disused school into a hub for refugees from Ukraine, “deserve our appreciation”.
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“The refugee crisis caused by the conflict in Ukraine has horrified the world,” said Mr Curran, “and People Before Profit reiterates our demand for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Russian forces alongside an end to NATO escalation of the conflict.”
Mr Curran said the State also needs to adopt a stance of welcoming and supporting refugees, and those fleeing conflict, regardless of background or nationality.
“The support provided to date to refugees from Ukraine, including immediate access to PPS numbers and welfare schemes from the Department of Social Protection, are welcome and should be extended to all refugees resident in Ireland regardless of background or nationality who are no less deserving of these measures.”
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Mr Curran [pictured above] said African migrants in Ukraine, being turned away at the Polish border while fleeing Putin’s invasion, was “horrifying”, and was symbolic of the EU’s policy of ‘Fortress Europe’.
“People Before Profit demands the Government extend the welcome supports being given to Ukrainian refugees to refugees from all countries,” said Mr Curran, “end the disgraceful system of direct provision, normalise the status of the undocumented here in Ireland, and give all residents the right to vote in elections and referendums after a suitable period of residency regardless of race or citizenship.”
