Ukrainian refugees in Ireland - Megathread

Incorrect.

Ireland has the most youthful population pyramid in the EU, with the highest % of the population below 15 years old and 25 years old respectively. The Irish population grows naturally (births - deaths) by 30K-40k annually, which is extraordinary in a European context.

You'll also be pleased to note that the crude birth rate increased by almost 4k in 2021, relative to 2020, bringing the Irish fertility rate close to replacement rate again.

I thought I was being fairly clear, I included a quote showing the number who have left Ukraine.

I then said:

"Those 4 million + are not in Ireland, so I would understand they are spread out across a huge amount of European countries."

I thought that sentence made it perfectly clear that a huge amount of European countries are being open and accommodating.

So not disingenuous at all, just people not reading the post.

The fact is that Ireland a very youthful population by European standards, with relatively robust natural population growth. That population growth will continue for decades into the future, due to the tempo effect of population momentum. All of those future citizens will need access to education, healthcare, and housing. Even without immigration or the refugee crisis, that is a significant challenge for the state, in and of itself.

I'm not saying that this gives Ireland an 'opt-out' in terms of responding to the refugee crisis. However, we do face domestic population pressures, not evident in Eastern European countries, neighboring the Ukraine.

For my part, I'll check out the CSO stats to validate if that article you've linked is even remotely correct. Commentators in the media typically have a very poor understanding of demography.

Just to be clear. It was stated weeks ago that the pledge was for accommodation. It wasn't necessarily free accommodation. It's been known for weeks that the refugees could apply for HAP or rent allowance /supplement. A lot of stand alone houses & apartments are looking for HAP through the tenants.

There really isn't though. Unless you just mean we've the actual physical space.

So we'll have to import more young people again to keep the pyramid upright ?

Would we not be better off encouraging people to have more children, especially working parents?

We pledged a four bed vacant house . It costs a lot to fill an oil tank , pay for electricity , pay broadband , fill the fridge etc . Not everyone has that to spare every month . I am not actually sure what your point is

Houses are one of the large issues h re. Where are the GP spaces, the school spaces, hospital beds, university spaces, gardai, electricity generation etc to cater for increases in population. It's not just cos they're not Irish, before someone says I'm racist, as I'd say the same if the government found ways to encourage more births. We don't have the resources to cater for our existing population, so adding more is just idiocy.