Sir, – Listening to the Government’s pleas for community halls and other such local public facilities to be used around the country for temporary refuge, I suggest using the RDS events centre in Dublin 4 immediately for housing immigrants, particularly those fleeing the largest European war in recent collective memory.
This logical act would also solve the apparent dearth of accommodation in our capital’s more affluent areas of south Dublin and help sow and show social solidarity with less well-off areas that have stoically taken the burden of the refugee crisis until now – areas like the tourist areas of the west coast of Ireland as well as the north and east of Dublin, among others.
This simple solution would show we are indeed all in this together and willing to share our public spaces and scarce social services more evenly in this time of dire international need. This practical gesture would also be powerfully symbolic nationally and help ease community tensions and act as a a beacon of hope and strength across the European continent. – Yours, etc,
DEREK VIAL,
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Killybegs,
Co Donegal.
Sir, – Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman has written to all Ministers, seeking “large halls where camp beds, mattresses, sleeping bags could be set out for people”, in a plea for assistance on the refugee crisis (“Big buildings sought by Minister to house refugees and asylum seekers on camp beds”, News, February 2nd).
There are a number of large, commercial buildings in Listowel that are ideally suited for temporary or semi-permanent accommodation – with “For Sale” signs on them and clustered together.
Additionally there is a large nursing home outside of the heritage town that closed during Covid-19.
It too has a “For Sale” sign.
Of €26 million paid by the State for accommodation contracts for Ukrainian arrivals in Kerry for the period April to September 2022 and reported in local media, it was noticeable that not a single contract was signed in the north Kerry town.
Despite what is sometimes reported, Listowel is a very welcoming place, with a range of modern facilities to suit all those fleeing war and oppression.
It won’t be found wanting in a crisis.
Perhaps those tasked with finding emergency accommodation might instead get into their cars and see for themselves. – Is mise,
TOM McELLIGOTT,
Listowel,
Co Kerry.