Killarney

<h3>Killarney has been subject of some difficult headlines of late but the fact remains that there is a problem that needs to be dealt with.</h3>
&#8220;Plan A&#8221; was a resounding success as we supported giving refuge to those who urgently needed humanitarian aid. Now it&#8217;s time for &#8220;Plan B&#8221;.
The lack of infrastructure is what is failing us and the Government needs to look at the bigger picture. We need to have all interested parties involved now to provide the best solution for Killarney town to secure its future.
According to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Ireland is now accommodating 55,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine (Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, or BOTPs) and International Protection applicants. This compares to 7,500 at this time last year.
Currently Killarney is the highest county outside Dublin with almost 5,000 refugees and International Protection applicants.
We’re extending the same hospitality as other European countries and we don&#8217;t deny them that as they are all fleeing their countries for valid reasons &#8211; but the decisions made in big cities by Government agencies is having a huge impact on all involved. They are here now and we want to help them &#8211; we want to be part of the solution. It’s not their fault where they end up, it’s purely a Government decision but this same Government now needs to be vocal and tell us how they&#8217;re going to help Killarney going forward.
<blockquote>&#8220;We need to ask the Government what the next part of their plan is&#8221;</blockquote>
We don’t want to find ourselves in a situation where, come March, Ukrainians are turfed out on the streets with nowhere to go when hotels need their beds back for the summer season.
Questions need to be answered now and not months down the road when it&#8217;s too late.
What is the Government going to do next?
Why is there no joined up thinking with services such as housing, doctors or schools?
How do we build a community quickly so that everyone can happily live side-by-side?
Why can’t the Government or Kerry County Council come up with a modular housing-type solution; they have the ability to fast track temporary planning. Is there a way to get private investors together and create a tax relief to invest in certain housing?
Take Sligo this week for example, a vacant site at Doorly Park has been identified as a potential location for temporary modular accommodation for Ukrainian refugees.
Borough District of Sligo have said that the accommodation could potentially consist of 30 two-bedroom units with a capacity for four people in each. The site was also chosen for its proximity to schools and health services. The project is being funded nationally. Ukrainians have immersed themselves into society, attending schools, securing jobs, and getting involved with the community.
And what about the asylum seekers? Wouldn&#8217;t it be great if they were allowed to work locally and contribute to the local economy?
Can we now help them further? How can we make Killarney a place where tourism and support for our new residents can harmonise?
There was a multi-agency approach during COVID which swept into action &#8211; why can’t the many agencies involved in the asylum process join with the HSE, Councils and other groups, make a plan and stick to it?
HAVE YOUR SAY: What do you think is the best solution going forward? Share your ideas on our social channels; Facebook and Instagram @killarneyadvertiser or email newsdesk@killarneyadvertiser.ie.

Time for "Plan B"?

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