A Clare-native ex-director of Trócaire believes plans to compensate families for taking in Ukrainian refugees is the right thing to do.
Government are expected to formally announce a €400 monthly payment to those hosting refugees from the war-torn state in the coming fortnight.
There are warnings that Ireland will experience a shortage in accommodation for Ukrainian refugees by the end of next week, with many who arrive here now having to stay in emergency accommodation sites.
As part of more long-term solutions to the crisis, the government are examining the possibility of issuing a €400 payment to families who open their homes to refugees.
It comes as the Irish Red Cross will have contacted the 24,000 people who made offers by the end of this week, with 16% of offers having been withdrawn and 38% of property owners uncontactable.
The he 400 euro payment will be viewed as expenses rather than income for tax purposes in order to entice people to offer accommodation.
Despite the strain on our resources, the Taoiseach is ruling out a cap on the number of refugees Ireland will house.
A Kilmaley native and former director of Trócaire doesn’t agree with allowing an unlimited number of Ukrainian refugees into the country.
Eamonn Meehan does however insist that Ireland needs to meet our quota to take in 2% of the refugee population in order meet our obligations as an EU member state.
Looking at the positives to be drawn from the situation, the former charity worker believes work to house refugees may provide us with solutions to our own housing crisis.
Eamonn Meehan believes the €400 payment to cover costs for hosts is the first step in the right direction.
