Tipperary TD says towns and villages being 'overwhelmed and burdened' by asylum seekers

Communities in Cashel, Roscrea and across the country are becoming overwhelmed and burdened due to the numbers of asylum seekers residing in their communities, according to Tipperary TD Michael Lowry.

The Independent TD was addressing Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderick O’Gorman in the Dáil this Tuesday.

"Cashel is the most recent example of attempting to impose 74 International Protection Applicants. This is unacceptable and the current review must take account of the location and its suitability," he said.

"Roscrea is an ongoing classic example. In recent times, this town has been transformed due to the arrival of hundreds of International Protection Applicants. The numbers are totally disproportionate to the local population. The vital services in the town cannot cope and are stretched way beyond capacity," he said.

Deputy Lowry said that, by degrees, the lives of local people had been changed.

"Reoccurring incidents have eroded the sense of security in the town. People do not feel safe on the streets. Parents are fearful of allowing their teenagers out after dark. Families and older people have had to increase security in their homes," he said.

Deputy Lowry emphasised the fact that, in Roscrea, the Garda Station remained closed at night, which was exacerbating the public sense of vulnerability.

"Gardai are appealing for additional resources. They are short in numbers and under enormous pressure. They are not able to cope with the increase in incidents," he said.

The TD said that communities like Roscrea needed support to adapt to the changes imposed on them, saying that their lives had been "railroaded by circumstances outside their control".

"Government cannot expect them to accept this without delivering the support and services they need," said Deputy Lowry.

Minister O'Gorman said that, in relation to Roscrea, his Department had met accommodation providers, particularly in terms of ensuring that childcare services in one of the locations were protected.

"We will continue to work with the Deputies in terms of ensuring that key services continue to be delivered, and I know that Minister McEntee and the Department of Justice are also aware of the concerns in terms of policing numbers there," said the Minister.