Integration of asylum seekers important

As Navan prepares to accommodate 15 family groups of International Protection applicants, the need to encourage a high standard of integration in the local community has been highlighted by Cllr Linda Nelson Murray.

"Personally, I cannot imagine what it must be like to pack up your life and family, forced to leave home from family and friends and move to a strange country. I’m guessing their journey hasn’t been easy. I haven’t seen the property inside, but I hope the facilities are appropriate for the needs of these families," she said.

"As I walked through Navan today, I could see shop windows advertising for staff, and I know many manufacturing facilities are also looking for workers so I welcome that these people can work after six months, that they can avail of courses to develop skills for employment. We should encourage a high standard of integration so the international protection applicants can work locally and help contribute back to our town. These people cannot avail of social housing or HAP so I welcome that this type of accommodation can be realised for them even if it is only temporary."

Cllr Murray said that councillors received notification of the temporary emergency accommodation for international protection applicants on Tuesday.

"40 beds in 15 rooms are being provided for families seeking refuge in Navan on Mill Lane with a view of it increasing to the overall capacity of 70," she said.

Meanwhile, Cllr Alan Lawes said it is important that we treat all vulnerable groups equally and with support.

"We should be treating all vulnerable groups equally and I will be supporting these new residents in our town, like I support other vulnerable residents including the homeless," he said.

Cllr Lawes expressed concern about people labelling the newcomers as unvetted. "We have two centres of homeless accommodation in Navan. There was never consultation before they were provided. People who come and stay in our local hotels, they are unvetted. Why is there a difference? Is it because of the colour of their skin?" he asked.

"We have a major problem with homelessness, but that is not the fault of the immigrant of asylum seeker. It is the fault of the state. Inaction by the state and the council drives this divide, we should be treating all vulnerable group properly, but that is not what the state is doing," he said.