Statement of welcome to all people seeking refuge in Mayo

The Mayo branch of United Against Racism has issued a statement wholeheartedly welcoming all the refugees and asylum seekers seeking shelter in the county’s town and villages.

The statement expressed disappointment with alleged recent efforts “to try to manipulate the concerns of members of a community to stoke up fear towards vulnerable people, many of whom have been traumatised by war and persecution and have made a perilous journey through fortress Europe to get here.”

The statement continued: “We take heart from the humane and generous response of the majority of local people to the plight of these refugees and asylum seekers.

"We want to acknowledge the legitimate concerns that many local people have with respect to the chaotic handling of the situation by the Irish government which is creating a lot of unnecessary hardship and suffering for these victims of war, persecution, economic and climate crisis.

“Our members work directly with the residents of direct provision centres like Ballyhaunis and can attest to the incredible contribution that they have made to Irish society.

“Many have worked tirelessly and bravely throughout the pandemic as healthcare workers, others are in higher education while others volunteer in a wide variety of local clubs and societies.

“Refugees and asylum seekers don’t deserve to be put under suspicion or threat. They are human beings with hopes and dreams who want to build a life for themselves in our communities, having had their own lives turned upside down.

“Our analysis of the rapidly deteriorating situation across the country indicates that the problems accommodating refugees and asylum seekers are directly linked to the housing crisis which has been created and worsened by government policy of promoting the private market as a solution to the social need for housing for all.

“It must be highlighted that this housing crisis has existed for Irish people long before any refugee crisis ever emerged and it must also be emphasised that even if the Irish state didn’t take in a single refugee, we would still have a severe housing and homelessness crisis because refugees are not in a position to rent on the market or buy houses - and so are not contributing to the shortage.

“The reality is that the government has been operating a direct provision system for the past 22 years which is a highly profitable state subsidised business for corporations.

“In 2019, the cost of direct provision was €1.3 billion, which is money that would have been better invested directly in public housing on public land for all those in need.

“Alongside the direct provision system the government blindly adheres to a housing policy that refuses to build public housing open to all but instead subsidises private landlords in gouging people for rents, allows thousands of empty dwellings to be hoarded, gives the Irish banks tax exemptions on their profits while allowing them to charge high mortgage interest rates, gifts public land banks to private developers who sit on them and watch the value go up.

“According to the Census 2022 there are over 166,000 empty dwellings in Ireland. At least 48,000 have been empty for over seven years.

“In Mayo the Census data shows that there were 9,166 vacant dwellings, which does not include holiday homes, of which there were 5,911.

“Most of these dwellings are within close proximity to a town or village and yet the government refuses to declare a housing emergency to compulsory purchase these dwellings and refurbish them as a solution to take people off the streets, off the waiting lists and out of the despicable direct provision system.

“In addition to the housing crisis, decades of underinvestment in public services means that our schools, hospitals and mental health services are struggling to cope with the needs of society.

“The refusal of the government to use the bonanza in corporate tax receipts to invest in these services deepens the sense of frustration felt by local communities when trying to deal with the refugee and asylum seeker situation.

“We urge the local communities of Mayo to support the refugees and asylum seekers by actively helping them to rebuild their lives.

“People can help in lots of ways by reaching out to volunteer to help organise games, put on events, join clubs, learn English.

“Human connection and solidarity is the most powerful antidote to the frustration at the government and authorities responsible for this chaotic inhumane mess.

“We urge people to join the Cost of Living and Housing Campaign to demand proper investment in housing and services for all,” the statement concluded.