Cllr Niall Mc Nelis has called on the Government to update its Housing for All strategy to take into account the needs of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland.
Mc Nelis said: “I was horrified to read the news last week that the ‘céad mile fáilte’ Government propose to offer Ukrainian refugees may consist of prefabs and tents rather than a proper roof over their head.
“We need to develop a long term housing strategy for refugees to include long term, own home accommodation, not tents. These must be incorporated into Housing For All without delay.”
An immediate audit of accessible State lands must be carried out according to Cllr Mc Nelis.
“There now must be an immediate audit carried out of accessible State lands in urban areas to identify its suitability for modular housing for refugees fleeing the war,” he added.
“There must be a Government response to the integration of Ukrainian refugees – from housing to education to integration. It is our obligation to ensure that they are supported and protected when they arrive in this State.
“As always, Irish people have opened their hearts and their homes to people fleeing Ukraine. We have seen plenty of examples of this in Galway. I want to thank the city council staff who are working so hard at the moment with the refugee housing crisis and also the housing crisis that we have had over the last decade.
“Government should follow their lead and step up to the plate by providing a proper home for people and families. Local government works well when proper resources are given to it with money and staff.
“History tells us that refugees will not be able to return home quickly. We need a proper, well thought through, long term housing strategy to ensure that we do not have children growing up in camps.”
