Ukrainian refugees in Ireland - Megathread

Was just listening to Darragh O'Brien on Newstalk there talking about anything and everything in terms of accommodating refugees. He says there will be no cap on the numbers we take in.

I'm sorry, but that's a ridiculous stance. We have an entire generation unable to afford to buy a home, rental properties are scarce where they're most needed and massively expensive, and the general costs of living have been surging since even before Putin's troops crossed the Ukrainian border. Then there's all the other problems we have in health, infrastructure etc etc...

How on earth is taking in an unlimited number of refugees and converting anything unoccupied with a roof over it into accommodation sustainable? Why is it that measures like allowing fair deal properties to be rented out is only on the table now, but not for the aforementioned groups who can't find an affordable place already? Why are the Government effectively fast tracking long term residency and future citizenship for these new arrivals to a country that can't support the population we have?

I fully recognise that refugees need support and we should do our part to help BUT... It's not as if we don't have a lot of serious problems that we're failing to deal with already, and a population already struggling to support itself in many cases. Where is the money, the jobs, the school and childcare places, the GP places, and all the other things that these arrivals will need coming from? Have the Government discovered the Magic Money Tree that they (rightly) derided SF and others for in the past? If so, why are we not prioritising solutions for our existing population?

Are we really that desperate to be seen to be doing The Right Thing that we will run the country off a cliff again? Or is it, more cynically, being used by the politicians to achieve the previously stated goal of dramatically increasing immigration? (never waste a good crisis). What's the long term plan here? Again, how is this sustainable?

What's even more concerning is why these questions aren't being asked by more people, and answers given by Government. It's not racist, xenophobic, selfish or whatever other nonsense argument that might be levelled to suggest that there is only so much that we can realistically do, and we cannot just take in anyone who arrives at the door.

We can't house or own is a strange argument.

We could certainly house our own if they were will to take a corner of a sports hall or an old convent or were willing to up sticks and move to the likes of Lisdoonvarna.

Silly tosh being pushed by the permanent contrarians.

Civilians in Europe literally being culled in 2022, but you have the usual malcontents with But, But, But What about me?

😕

I really wonder if we'll ever grow up as a country to be honest.

Between the reactive half-assed Ah Shure It'll Be Grand! response that passes as planning and policy for everything, coupled with the massive inferiority complex (look at us, aren't we good!) that requires constant validation on the international stage, it's not surprising really that the Government have thrown the doors wide open again.

As usual though, it'll be those who actually pay for everything who'll be left with the tab - not just the pure financial cost, but the costs in terms of their own ability to access housing, essential services and opportunities, and longer term the societal costs of these measures. The irony of course is that the fallout from these existing problems affect the new arrivals even more!

But shure, none of that matters as long as we have the short term feelz and flattering headlines about generosity in the papers, right?

Well we pledged a four bedroom house . It takes a lot to fill the oil tank and make sure the fridge is stocked , broadband paid and bills paid . Not everyone can afford that extra burden

Yep, astonishing stuff, I heard it myself 😉

That's nice and all (and it is!), but there's an uncomfortable truth that posts like this ignore - namely that these things have to be supported with REAL deliverables, not just good feelings! Deliverables like sufficient housing, access to healthcare, education, training and employment to name but a few. Oh and money to support them in the interim (or possibly long term) of course!

Now, given that we have an ongoing housing crisis, healthcare and trolley crisis, problems accessing a GP or a school/creche place, spiralling costs of fuel and costs of living generally (again to name but a few!) how do you suggest that we do the former when we can't provide the latter?

It's all very well to want to help and that indeed should be commended, but you can't ignore the realities either, no matter how unpalatable they may be.

Unfortunately this is a discussion forum, so you should probably expect people to reply and give their own opinions on posts - just as you've done here.

It's not enough to just dump a post criticising and insulting people for voicing their opinions and cry foul when they don't agree with yours.

Maybe you need a blog?

Alright champ, quote away.

I'm doing my small part, donating money, going on hikes and bbqs with Ukrainian families and organising English language meetups to help them improve their language. What about you?

Irish people, Polish people, Slovak people and the rest of Europe. Now you're understanding, good lad, there's a war on the doorstep and people need help.

Everyone in ALL the countries hosting refugees will be paying higher taxes to fund it. You and me both, it is what it is. And yeah, it won't be easy anywhere in Europe having services strained, but it's better than just leaving those people in Ukraine to get slaughtered.