The government has come under pressure to develop a long term housing strategy for refugees.

Labour representative Rebecca Moynihan called for the Housing for All strategy to be updated to address the needs of incoming Ukrainian refugees.

Senator Moynihan said: "It is deeply concerning to read that the 'céad mile fáilte' we are offering refugees may consist of prefabs and tents. 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.

-- Advertisement --

"There now must be an audit carried out of accessible state lands in urban areas to identify its suitability for modular housing for refugees fleeing the war."

Moynihan penned a letter to the Minister for Housing last week outlining this need, but was informed it was the responsibility of the Minister for Integration.

"There must be a whole of government response to the integration of Ukrainian refugees – from housing to education to integration," Senator Moynihan responded. "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. Government should follow their lead and step up to the plate by providing a proper home for people and families.

"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."