Crosby backs cut in refugee allowance

The announcement that Ukrainian refugees will only be accommodated by the state for 90 days after they arrive in Ireland has been welcomed by councillor for the Boyle Municipal District, Tom Crosby.

Commenting on the news, the Tarmonbarry based councillor pointed out that there was already a major problem in Ireland with regard to homelessness and housing for families and it was his belief that the people of Ireland should be prioritised when it came to the issue of housing.

Speaking this week, the Independent representative said there was a “dire situation in this country with at least four to five hundred families waiting for accommodation in County Roscommon alone and this is a situation replicated in towns and counties nationwide”.

Also welcoming the news that Ukrainian refugees will now see their social welfare allowance fall from their current €220 a week to just €38.80 in line with most other European countries, Cllr Crosby said this was an essential move and indeed long overdue. 

“Up to this point we seemed to be way over generous in the way we support those who come in from other countries – in fact three to four times more than our EU counterparts and therefore attracting much more refugees that our fellow European countries.

“I think our generosity has been at the cost of our own Irish people and has failed them in a way, hindering them from getting the services they so richly deserve, and I hope this week’s announcement will help them access the services they are rightly entitled to.”