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RTÉ News
5 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Sinn Féin call for review of Government refugee accommodation plans
Sinn Féin has called for a review of the Government's policy of paying people to allow Ukrainian refugees to use their spare rooms or properties, saying the scheme is unfair on other people, and is potentially disrupting the wider rental market. The party's Justice, Home Affairs and Migration spokesperson Matt Carthy called for the policy to be examined, before rejecting claims he and his party are using the issue to "dog whistle" to anti-immigrant groups. According to figures obtained by Sinn Féin, the number of properties receiving a payment under the Government accommodation recognition payment scheme rose by 17% between January and July of this year. This, a party statement said, is "deeply unfair" to other people who are renting as the supports are not means-tested, and are distorting the wider rental market. Asked about the claims by journalists today, Mr Carthy said the "evidence appears to be bearing out" the Sinn Féin concerns, but did not provide specific examples of how this is the case. He said the scheme is giving landlords "a tax free payment" of hundreds of euro a month to cover costs, as well as "top up payments", which he said are "unregulated". 'Wide open for landlords' While saying the initial objective of the policy, namely to help Ukrainians fleeing war, was "laudable", Mr Carthy said subsequent changes by Government have left the scheme "wide open for landlords" and others to use the scheme, saying that 21,000 properties owned by less than 17,000 people are the subject of payments. Mr Carthy said "now is the time to carry out a review", but said when asked if the call is a "dog whistle" to anti-immigrant groups: "This is about setting out very clearly that what is going on is fair." The Sinn Féin TD said his party "wouldn't want to see at the end of this a cliff edge where people housed under this scheme all of a sudden become homeless, no one's suggesting that". However, he added that "nothing" causes "social anxiety or division more than if people see one set of people being treated differently than another set in housing need".
Irish Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Three babies born to inmates in Irish prisons so far in 2025, new figures show
Three babies have been born to inmates at the Dóchas Centre women's prison in Dublin and Limerick's women's prison to date this year, new figures show. According to the new figures provided by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan (FF) TD, four infants aged under 12 months, three at Dóchas and one at Limerick - have been accommodated with their mothers at the females prisons to date this year. This followed three infants being accommodated with their mothers at Dochas Centre only in 2024. The three babies born to inmates across the Irish prison estate this year follow four babies born to inmates in 2024. This followed no babies born to prison inmates in 2023 and 2022 and there was only baby born to a woman jailed at Dóchas Centre prison at the time during 2021 and 2020. In written Dail replies to Deputies Gary Gannon TD (Soc Gen) and Matt Carthy TD (SF), Minister O'Callaghan confirmed that two babies have been born to inmates at Dóchas Centre to date this year and one baby to an inmate at the 50-capacity Limerick's women's prison. In the replies, Minister O'Callaghan also reveals that in 2025, 19 pregnant women have imprisoned at Irish prisons - 13 at Dóchas and six at Limerick. The Dochas Centre women's prison in Dublin This followed 27 pregnant women being jailed last year - 22 at Dóchas and five at Limerick and the 27 total was more than double the 12 total for 2023. In his reply Minister O'Callaghan told the two deputies: 'I can confirm that there are currently no pregnant women remanded to custody within the Irish Prison Estate.' He said: 'Pregnant woman in custody are provided with as much privacy as possible and are accommodated in single occupancy rooms.' He said that in accordance with prison rules 'a child may remain in the care of their mother in prison, until the child has reached twelve months of age' He said that in the Dóchas Centre, mothers and babies are accommodated in single occupancy double rooms. He said: 'These rooms are on a small landing which is shared with enhanced status prisoners. Work is commencing in relation to additional, bespoke rooms for mothers and babies in the Dóchas Centre.' He said that 'Limerick Women's Prison does not have a separate building for women with children, however the women and their babies are accommodated in 'independent style apartments'. Stock image of pregnant woman in hospital (Image: Getty) He said: 'Each has their own individual apartment. This overall area is not specifically for women with babies and may house other prisoners deemed suitable to live in these "independent style apartments'. He said that in relation to the health and safety of pregnant women in custody, the Irish Prison Service has developed and apply bespoke risk assessments to both pregnant women and to mothers and babies who are in their custody. He said: 'These risk assessments inform strategies which support managing the health and safety of pregnant women, and mothers who have given birth to babies whilst serving prison sentences, within the prison environment.' He said that the Irish Prison Service employs a National Family Connections Officer and Iin May 2025 this officer established a multi-agency working group to review Protocols and update the Irish Prison Service Mother and Baby Policy to ensure best practice for the care and support of mothers and babies in custody. He said: 'This work is currently at scoping stage.' Minister O'Callaghan said that 'the level of maternity care and supports provided to women in custody, is comparable to that available to women in the community'. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan He said: "Primary care nursing is provided in female prisons on a 24/7 basis, 365 days a year. Doctor services are available Monday to Friday 9-5, with locum services available at the weekends. He said that 'due to the specific needs of a number of the women who are pregnant, specialist HSE services have a very close and responsive working relationship with both prison management and the prison healthcare team'. He said: 'Most pregnant women receive all their antenatal care external to the prison, in routine antenatal clinics in the local HSE maternity hospital. When needed and in cases of emergency, specialist midwives will attend the prison; however, this is not a common occurrence.' He said that 'expectant mothers are always facilitated to have their children born in hospital'. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Daily Mirror
21-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Concern about impact of Goverment scheme for housing Ukrainian refugees
Concern has been voiced about the impact of a Government scheme for housing refugees from Ukraine on the private rental sector as new figures show the number of private properties being used has increased by 17 per cent since the start of the year. A record number of over 21,800 dwellings are currently being used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees under the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) scheme, according to the latest figures from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. It represents an increase of over 3,100 additional properties being involved in the ARP scheme since January. Owners or tenants of such properties were entitled to claim a monthly payment of €800 for housing Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive but the sum has been reduced to €600 per month since June 1. A total of 21,803 properties are now being used as part of the ARP scheme to provide homes to almost 39,600 Ukrainian refugees with 16,900 hosts in receipt of monthly payments. The figures show that over €339 million has been paid to date to 26,100 recipients for hosting 56,700 temporary protection beneficiaries since the scheme was launched in July 2022. The figures were provided in response to a parliamentary question by Sinn Féin's justice, home affairs and migration spokesperson, Matt Carthy. Not surprisingly, the largest number of properties involved in the scheme are located in Dublin with almost 3,300 currently housing refugees from Ukraine. A child carrying a dog seen at Lviv Railway station (Image: Mykola Tys/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) The second highest number is in Donegal where 2,070 private properties are in use followed by Cork (1,611) Mayo (1,425) and Kerry (1,308). The smallest number is 128 in Roscommon. The figures indicate that approximately one per cent of the Republic's 2.1 million housing stock is being used to house Ukrainian refugees with varying differences across the country. The proportion ranges from an estimated 2.4 per cent of all dwellings in Donegal to just 0.4 per cent of all homes in Roscommon. Other counties with a high proportion of their housing stock being used to accommodate refugees from Ukraine are Leitrim (2.2 per cent), Mayo (2.1 per cent) and Carlow and Longford (both two per cent). Less than one per cent of residences in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Meath, Kilkenny and Wicklow are involved in the scheme. The number of properties being used to house Ukrainian refugees has risen by at least 10 per cent since the start of the year in all counties with the exception of Kildare and Kilkenny where the increases were at a slower rate. Mr Carthy said Sinn Féin has never received a satisfactory answer from the Minister of Justice about the impact of the ARP on the private rental sector. The Cavan-Monaghan TD has sharply criticised how the EU Temporary Protection Directive has been operated in Ireland and claimed the ARP is 'deeply unfair and caused huge divisions within communities.' 'It gave Ukrainians access to housing supports without a means test that was available to no other person including those on lower wages trying to secure housing,' said Mr Carthy. He claimed the measure was also driving up rents particularly in parts of the country that traditionally had lower rents. Ukrainian refugee family waiting for train in station (sock) Mr Carthy said the numbers in some areas like Donegal were huge with over 2,000 properties being used for the ARP. He added: 'These figures also show that there are significantly more properties than property owners coming under the scheme. There are 21,803 properties being provided by 16,900 owners which clearly means that a significant number of people have more than one property under this scheme. 'It indicates that landlords are availing of this scheme because it financially benefits them while avoiding the normal obligations and responsibilities regarding tenancies,' said Mr Carthy. Asked by the Sinn Féin TD about the impact of the ARP scheme on the private rented sector , the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan, said his department was awaiting the outcome of an analysis being carried out by the Department of Housing in conjunction with the Residential Tenancies Board. 'There is ongoing engagement by my department with the Department of Housing in respect of the scheme,' said Mr O'Callaghan. Property owners or tenants were originally paid a rate of €400 per month when the scheme was introduced before it was increased to €800 per month in December 2022 and lowered to €600 last month. Accommodation must be provided for at least six months and meet the required standards in relation to structural condition, fire safety, ventilation and various facilities. The ARP scheme has been extended to March 31, 2026 in line with the extension of the EU Temporary Protection Directive Separate figures provided by Mr O'Callaghan earlier this month show that the State had contracts with 670 different commercial properties including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation at the start of July to provide temporary accommodation to persons fleeing the war in Ukraine in addition to the ARP scheme. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Sunday World
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Three babies born to inmates in Irish prisons and 19 pregnant women jailed this year
The three babies born to inmates across the Irish prison estate this year follow four babies born to inmates in 2024 Three babies have been born to inmates at the Dóchas Centre women's prison in Dublin and Limerick's women's prison to date this year, new figures show. According to the new figures provided by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan (FF) TD, four infants aged under 12 months, three at Dóchas and one at Limerick - have been accommodated with their mothers at the females prisons to date this year. This followed three infants being accommodated with their mothers at Dochas Centre only in 2024. The three babies born to inmates across the Irish prison estate this year follow four babies born to inmates in 2024. This followed no babies born to prison inmates in 2023 and 2022 and there was only baby born to a woman jailed at Dóchas Centre prison at the time during 2021 and 2020. In written Dail replies to Deputies Gary Gannon TD (Soc Gen) and Matt Carthy TD (SF), Minister O'Callaghan confirmed that two babies have been born to inmates at Dóchas Centre to date this year and one baby to an inmate at the 50-capacity Limerick's women's prison. In the replies, Minister O'Callaghan also reveals that in 2025, 19 pregnant women have imprisoned at Irish prisons - 13 at Dóchas and six at Limerick. This followed 27 pregnant women being jailed last year - 22 at Dóchas and five at Limerick and the 27 total was more than double the 12 total for 2023. In his reply Minister O'Callaghan told the two deputies: 'I can confirm that there are currently no pregnant women remanded to custody within the Irish Prison Estate.' He said: 'Pregnant woman in custody are provided with as much privacy as possible and are accommodated in single occupancy rooms.' He said that in accordance with prison rules 'a child may remain in the care of their mother in prison, until the child has reached twelve months of age' He said that in the Dóchas Centre, mothers and babies are accommodated in single occupancy double rooms. He said: 'These rooms are on a small landing which is shared with enhanced status prisoners. Work is commencing in relation to additional, bespoke rooms for mothers and babies in the Dóchas Centre.' He said that 'Limerick Women's Prison does not have a separate building for women with children, however the women and their babies are accommodated in 'independent style apartments'. He said: 'Each has their own individual apartment. This overall area is not specifically for women with babies and may house other prisoners deemed suitable to live in these "independent style apartments'. He said that in relation to the health and safety of pregnant women in custody, the Irish Prison Service has developed and apply bespoke risk assessments to both pregnant women and to mothers and babies who are in their custody. He said: 'These risk assessments inform strategies which support managing the health and safety of pregnant women, and mothers who have given birth to babies whilst serving prison sentences, within the prison environment.' He said that the Irish Prison Service employs a National Family Connections Officer and Iin May 2025 this officer established a multi-agency working group to review Protocols and update the Irish Prison Service Mother and Baby Policy to ensure best practice for the care and support of mothers and babies in custody. He said: 'This work is currently at scoping stage.' Minister O'Callaghan said that 'the level of maternity care and supports provided to women in custody, is comparable to that available to women in the community'. He said: "Primary care nursing is provided in female prisons on a 24/7 basis, 365 days a year. Doctor services are available Monday to Friday 9-5, with locum services available at the weekends. He said that 'due to the specific needs of a number of the women who are pregnant, specialist HSE services have a very close and responsive working relationship with both prison management and the prison healthcare team'. He said: 'Most pregnant women receive all their antenatal care external to the prison, in routine antenatal clinics in the local HSE maternity hospital. When needed and in cases of emergency, specialist midwives will attend the prison; however, this is not a common occurrence.' He said that 'expectant mothers are always facilitated to have their children born in hospital'. Dochas women's prison. Photo: Jim Walpole Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 21st
RTÉ News
20-07-2025
- RTÉ News
Three babies born to inmates in Irish prisons this year
Three babies have been born to inmates at the Dóchas Centre women's prison in Dublin and Limerick's women's prison to date this year, new figures show. According to the new figures provided by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan, four infants aged under 12 months, three at Dóchas and one at Limerick - have been accommodated with their mothers at the females prisons to date this year. This followed three infants being accommodated with their mothers at Dochas Centre in 2024. The three babies born to inmates across the Irish prison estate this year follow four babies born to inmates last year. This followed no babies born to prison inmates in 2023 and 2022 and there was only one baby born to a woman jailed at Dóchas Centre prison at the time during 2021 and 2020. In written Dail replies to Gary Gannon TD and Matt Carthy TD, Minister O'Callaghan confirmed that two babies have been born to inmates at Dóchas Centre to date this year and one baby to an inmate at the 50-capacity Limerick's women's prison. Nineteen pregnant women imprisoned Minister O'Callaghan said 19 pregnant women have imprisoned at Irish prisons this year - 13 at Dóchas and six at Limerick. This followed 27 pregnant women being jailed last year - 22 at Dóchas and five at Limerick and the 27 total was more than double the 12 total for 2023. In his reply Minister O'Callaghan said: "I can confirm that there are currently no pregnant women remanded to custody within the Irish Prison Estate." He said: "Pregnant woman in custody are provided with as much privacy as possible and are accommodated in single occupancy rooms." Baby can live with mother for first year He said that in accordance with prison rules "a child may remain in the care of their mother in prison, until the child has reached twelve months of age". He said that in the Dóchas Centre, mothers and babies are accommodated in single occupancy double rooms. He said: "These rooms are on a small landing which is shared with enhanced status prisoners. Work is commencing in relation to additional, bespoke rooms for mothers and babies in the Dóchas Centre." He said that "Limerick Women's Prison does not have a separate building for women with children, however the women and their babies are accommodated in independent style apartments". He said each has their own individual apartment. "This overall area is not specifically for women with babies and may house other prisoners deemed suitable to live in these "independent style apartments," Minister O'Callaghan added. The Irish Prison Service has "developed and apply bespoke risk assessments" to both pregnant women and to mothers and babies who are in their custody, the minister continued. Risk assessment for pregnant women in prisons "These risk assessments inform strategies which support managing the health and safety of pregnant women, and mothers who have given birth to babies whilst serving prison sentences, within the prison environment," he said. The Irish Prison Service employs a National Family Connections Officer and in May 2025 this officer established a multi-agency working group to review Protocols and update the Irish Prison Service Mother and Baby Policy to "ensure best practice for the care and support of mothers and babies in custody". The Minister said this work is currently at scoping stage. He said "the level of maternity care and supports provided to women in custody, is comparable to that available to women in the community". "Primary care nursing is provided in female prisons on a 24/7 basis, 365 days a year. Doctor services are available Monday to Friday 9-5, with locum services available at the weekends. "Due to the specific needs of a number of the women who are pregnant, specialist HSE services have a very close and responsive working relationship with both prison management and the prison healthcare team. "Most pregnant women receive all their antenatal care external to the prison, in routine antenatal clinics in the local HSE maternity hospital. When needed and in cases of emergency, specialist midwives will attend the prison; however, this is not a common occurrence," the minister added. He said "expectant mothers are always facilitated to have their children born in hospital".
