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Wed, 17 Jan, 2024 - 02:01

Elaine Loughlin, Paul Hosford, and Ciara Phelan, Political Staff

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has asked ministers to work on a package of assistance for towns and villages that have taken in a significant number of asylum seekers.

As protests continue in several locations across the country, Mr Varadkar told ministers that extra school places, more gardaí, and additional healthcare provisions will be needed for towns and villages that have seen a large population increase due to accommodating those seeking refuge.

The initial focus will be on the 10 districts in the country that have the highest proportion of refugees and asylum seekers, with several urgent measures needed to address mounting local tensions.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has been tasked with devising a clear communication strategy to make the public aware of Government policy, which will feed into a second body of work, focusing on communicating how the international protection process works and enforcement procedures.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has been tasked with devising a communication strategy to inform the public of how the international protection process works. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Mr Varadkar said a package of “wraparound supports” for communities will focus on assisting the 10 local electoral areas that have taken the highest number of asylum seekers and refugees, relative to population.

One source said a “deeper level of intervention” is required as protests gather momentum, and ministers will be expected to have solutions prepared in the coming weeks.

Government sources said any extra investment in these communities would be in addition to the already established €50m Community Recognition Fund.

Ministers said there is a “recognition” that some communities have been asked to take in large numbers of people without additional resources being provided. The situation sparked protests in several towns and villages, the latest in Roscrea in Tipperary.

Demonstrators have been gathered outside the former Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea since last Thursday when it emerged the hotel was to be used for asylum seekers.

On Tuesday, Fianna Fáil TD for Tipperary Jackie Cahill said he had been told the Government has agreed “in principle” to purchase a hotel in the town to run as a community asset.

The idea is based on the Sliabh Beagh Hotel in Monaghan, which is owned and managed by the community.

Mr Cahill said the purchase “won’t solve all of the issues in the town”, but would provide it with a hotel and be “a real asset” to Roscrea.

Gardaí set 'new starting line' on dealing with anti-migrant protests