Councillors reject 'waffle' in council refugee report

Mayo councillors have rejected a report on the refugee situation in the county.

The report was commissioned by Mayo County Council following a request by councillors. However, elected representatives rejected the report on the basis that it contains outdated figures and fails to address the impact of refugees on the county’s economy and services.

Cllr Peter Flynn said sections of the report were ‘waffle.’ 

“I was absolutely stunned by the poor quality of this report and the fact that it doesn’t address the motion that was set down,” he stated.

The report used Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures from June. The report was presented to councillors in October. Councillors were told they were the most up-to-date CSO figures available at the time. “By the time we received these there were four months out of date,” said Cllr Flynn. 

He said a Google search could reveal that there were 5,311 refugees in the county a week after the publication of the council report. He estimates that figure is now closer to 6,000.

The report details that 572 refugees were actively employed in the county. “Which is great news, don’t get me wrong,” said Cllr Flynn. “But in reality that’s 10% of the total number coming into Mayo,” he added.

“We have increased our population by 4% in the space of eighteen months and yet we have heard nothing about the critical services that are there to support it," Cllr Flynn remarked.

Councillors hit out at the ‘profiteering’ that has occurred following the humanitarian crisis. “Having a few individuals making a lot of money out of this isn’t acceptable in any shape or form,” said Cllr Flynn.

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne proposed that the report be rejected and was backed by his fellow councillors. Cllr Jarlath Munnelly also proposed that Mayo County Council write to the Government and request that no more hospitality accommodation in the county is used to house refugees.

Cllr John O’Malley said he knows of refugees living in sub-standard accommodation in Westport with mildew on the walls and six people being crammed into a small bedroom.

“That’s a hellish situation,” he remarked.

Cllr Seamus Weir told Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors that only their parties had the power to resolve the matter.

“Ye have the power to sort it out… it’s government  policy. That’s why they are here,” he stated. Cllr Weir told some of his fellow councillors that if they were unhappy then, “Why don’t ye leave the flippin’ parties!"

Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly said the local authority has a limited role in the housing of refugees. “We are not in control of it,” he commented.

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