In fairness, it is not constructive. It is a cheap attempt.

Well, the Deputy is not.

Sinn Féin is not going to the right on immigration.

We know the mess you made of the country.

Due to Government failure to ensure proper amenities and services are put in place, many communities right across the State are under huge pressure. What audits are carried out of community services and amenities by the Minister, his Department or other Departments before the placement of refugees or asylum seekers in a particular area?

I thank the Minister for his reply. Unfortunately, he failed to answer the specific question. He stated that his Department met Fáilte Ireland regularly, but he did not address the serious issues facing communities across the State. For example, more than 100 Ukrainians have been placed in Carnew in my constituency of Wicklow, but there is only a part-time GP service with waiting times of two to three weeks. That waiting list has grown even longer. There is a crisis in school places and a shortage of teachers and c…

The approach taken by the Department and the Government has failed utterly and seems to be led by speculators making millions of euro from the process. It does not take into consideration the needs of communities on which additional pressures have been placed. Many Ministers have given false promises in this Chamber. For example, additional services were promised when Syrian refugees first arrived in Roscommon many years ago, but those services have still not been delivered in Ballaghaderreen and other communities …

We need a fair, efficient and enforced immigration system. On the Government's watch, it has failed on all three of those counts and probably no more so than with the failure to tackle the issue of direct provision in a policy that was laid out in 2020. There has been some chatter and commentary about a revision of the ending of direct relation. In November, it was said that a memorandum would be presented to Cabinet. We are now in March. The Minister might outline where things are at in terms of revising the White…

I thank the Minister for that. Unfortunately, however, there is no clarity. Assurances were given as far back as November that an updated or revised memo on the White Paper would be produced and given to Cabinet within weeks of that. We are now in March and the Minister is failing to address the elephant in the room that is the war profiteering by many speculators right across the State. Only this week, we have seen one particular individual and his family in Monaghan making €130 million from the provision of accom…

It is providing the basics of a tent.

A tent to 1,000 asylum seekers?

Not only is the Minister failing communities, he is also failing those who are coming to these shores seeking protection by providing non-human right-compliant accommodation, something he gave a commitment to end. I appreciate without a doubt that there have been challenges. However, when the war in Ukraine broke out, the Minister and his Government colleagues were saying we should expect up to 200,000 Ukrainians to come to this State. That has not materialised. Where was the plan to accommodate 200,000? The Govern…

There is no efficient system.

What about international protection applicants?

The rules are not enforced.

Rules are only as good as their enforcement.

Are audits currently being undertaken in communities where decisions have been taken to place refugees? As far as I can see, none are being carried out. In my own constituency of Wicklow, there are more than 100 Ukrainians now in the small rural village of Carnew, which has a part-time GP service, and it currently takes two to three weeks for people to get an appointment. The local secondary school is at capacity. They are relying on Portakabins which are stacked high and pupils are crammed in. There are similar is…

-----and amenities in areas before a decision is taken and addresses any deficit. Otherwise, the Government is failing-----

-----communities and indeed refugees.

The Government motion before us today seeks to approve an order to extend the accommodation recognition payment scheme, which is due to expire on 31 March of this year. We very much appreciate the value this scheme has brought by providing shelter to thousands of people fleeing war in Ukraine. I acknowledge the compassion of the thousands of Irish families who have opened up their homes and who have welcomed and provided refuge to Ukrainian families in their hour of need. Host families deserve the certainty of know…