Mayo accommodating fifth-highest number of international protection applicants

MAYO has recorded a fall in the number of Ukrainians living in state-provided accommodation but has seen a rise in the number of international protection applicants. 

New figures show that there are 2,342 Ukrainian refugees and 1,396 international protection applicants living in state accommodation in Mayo - 3,738 in total. 

The county now accommodates the fifth-highest number of international protection applicants of any local authority area, behind only Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council and Donegal County Council.

Plans are currently under way to accommodate 120 more international protection applicants at the Twin Trees Hotel in Ballina – which has been the subject of public demonstrations.

The total number of international protection applicants in the county has risen by 144, up from a figure of 1,252 in January.

In the same period, the number of Ukrainian refugees living in the state accommodation in Mayo has dropped by more than 500.

In January, Mayo was accommodating 2,916 Ukrainians, 574 more than the current figure of 2,342.

According to the latest CSO data, over 4,600 PPS numbers have been issued Ukrainians with addresses in Mayo.

None of the above figures reflect the actual number of Ukrainians living in Mayo at present, some of whom have left state accommodation but still reside in the county, or who have left the county altogether.  

Despite recent cuts to welfare entitlements for Ukrainian refugees, Mayo is still accommodating the sixth-highest total number of any local authority area.

Ukrainians may only reside in state accommodation for 90 days, where they are entitled to a payment of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child.

Peadar Tóibín TD, a candidate for the EU parliament in the Midlands North-West constituency, said the latest figures indicated ‘a significant regional imbalance in the distribution of immigrants into the country’.

“We need a strict system based on compassion and common sense, but the latter is missing completely from the Government’s approach,” the Aontú leader added.

“It is not engaging with communities, leading to a vacuum of information which is a petri dish for rumour. Government ineptitude is eroding confidence. It needs to get a grip of the situation.”

Elsewhere, Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers has called on Minister for Integration, Roderic O’Gorman, to ensure a ‘balanced allocation’ of asylum seekers in different regions.

The Mayo woman was speaking following the launch of a national strategy which will see the government rent or purchase properties to use for international protection applicants.

The Department of Integration has issued a call for expressions of interest from property owners, with a closing deadline set for the end of next April.

Acknowledging the ongoing shortage of accommodation for asylum seekers, Senator Chambers called for an approach which ‘addresses the immediate housing needs but also promotes sustainable integration strategies that enhance community relations and economic stability across all regions’.

“While the intent of the government’s strategy is commendable as it seeks to provide urgent housing to those in need, it is imperative that the execution of this plan does not inadvertently skew the demographic and economic balance of certain regions,” remarked Senator Chambers, who is standing in the Midlands North-West constituency in the upcoming European elections.

“It is crucial that there is a balanced allocation that does not disproportionately impact any single region but instead contributes to the overall social fabric of the country. Ensuring fair distribution and transparency in how these properties are allocated will help maintain social cohesion and support the integration of asylum seekers into communities in a dignified and respectful manner.”