Ireland Should Prepare to Receive Over 80,000 Migrants in 2023, Minister Says Based on the figures of the International Protection Office of Ireland, last year 13,651 applications for international protection were filed, of them 1,198 in December. According to the Irish Independent, a total of 83,814 people taking also into account over 70,000 citizens from Ukraine reached Ireland last year seeking protection, while Minister O'Brien has said that the country should prepare for similar figures this year. The Minister's comments came following the struggle that the country is facing in accommodating refugees and asylum seekers. Ireland Should Prepare to Receive Over 80,000 Migrants in 2023, Minister Says - SchengenVisaInfo.com related thread: Housing crisis and unaffordable rent costs in Ireland, caused by immigration? 'There is no room': anti-immigration protesters march in Dublin Organisers say rally shatters taboo about questioning Ireland's welcome for migrants and refugees Pickets and blockades of roads are often held outside refugee centres in working-class neighbourhoods but on Saturday activists marched in the heart of the capital. "Why should migrants skip Irish people on the housing list? I won't accept it," said Gavin Pepper, 37. An acute housing and homelessness crisis has collided with the state's struggle to accommodate Ukrainians and asylum seekers, fueling accusations that foreigners receive preferential treatment. Protesters also say centres with "unvetted" young male refugees make them feel unsafe. "I have five girls and two boys and the girls are afraid to go out at night," said one man, who declined to give his name. Holding Irish tricolours and banners, the rally marched from Stephens Green through the Grafton Street shopping district to the General Post Office on O'Connell Street, a landmark in the Easter 1916 rebellion. Malachy Steenson, an organiser, told the crowd such protests had shattered a taboo about questioning the welcome for migrants and refugees. "We have moved the political ground in this country. This was the great unspoken." For a movement that claims to represent 90% of Irish people, it was not an impressive show of support – organisers had hoped for a bigger turnout. But marching through the city centre galvanised participants who previously had protested only in Drimnagh, East Wall, Ballymun and other deprived areas that host refugee centres. Ireland is facing a dual crisis. Many Irish people cannot afford to rent or buy homes, leading to overcrowding, homelessness and anger. Simultaneously, the system to accommodate asylum seekers and refugees is near collapse. The state is housing about 73,000 migrants, comprising 54,000 Ukrainians and 19,000 international protection applicants. A year ago the total number was 7,500. Hotels, emergency shelters and other improvised accommodation centres are full. Last week the minister for integration, Roderic O’Gorman, said in effect there was no room for fresh influxes. The protesters on Saturday claimed vindication for their claim that Ireland is full. "I've a housing crisis -- there are six of us in a two-room maisonette," said Lisa O'Neill, 40. "Shame on the government. Look after your own first." The crowd was just as vehement in criticising Sinn Féin, an opposition party with working-class roots, for welcoming refugees. A poster called its leader, Mary Lou McDonald, a "traitor". Across the street, with police standing in the middle, a counter-protest with about 300 people held up placards saying "diversity not division" and "yes to solidarity". The rival groups exchanged taunts. Speakers at the anti-immigrant rally warned of "criminals and rapists" being dumped in working-class areas. Michael Leahy, chairman of the Irish Freedom party, a fringe group with ties to British Brexiters, drew cheers when he claimed Irish people were being “replaced” by low-skilled foreigners. ‘There is no room’: anti-immigration protesters march in Dublin, The Guardian, Rory Carroll Ireland, January 22, 2023 Immigration protest and counter rally in Dublin attract hundreds Hundreds of people turned out to protest outside the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin’s city centre on Saturday afternoon, with pro- and anti-immigration campaigners on opposite sides of the road. The anti-immigration rally, Dublin Says No, attracted about 300 people, while the counter rally made up of about 250 people, took place across the road. Protesters attached to the counter rally, organised by Le Chéile, which is aimed at promoting diversity in Irish society, carried signs saying "Don’t let the racists divide us" and "No to far-right lies and racism, yes to solidarity". On the opposite side of the road, those attending the anti-immigration rally, understood to be organised by the Irish Freedom Party, carried signs reading "enough is enough" and "Are our children and streets safe?" while others held up Tricolour flags. Immigration protest and counter rally in Dublin attract hundreds - The Irish Times, Sarah Burns, January 21, 2023
