Officials and councillors have moved to quell rumours and ‘scaremongering’ around refugees and asylum seekers getting social housing in Donegal.
The matter was raised by Cllr Martin Harley at the monthly meeting of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District (MD).
As a number of council housing projects in east Donegal near completion, the Fine Gael representative said ‘concerns’ had been raised with him on a number of occasions recently that refugees and asylum seekers were being prioritised for social housing.
However, a senior council official confirmed this was not true and that neither are entitled to be on the housing list.
“Are asylum seekers and refugees on the housing list in Donegal,” Cllr Harley asked.
“That’s a concern that has been raised with me a few times recently while out canvassing.”
Sinn Fein Councillor, Liam Doherty, said he had heard similar rumours.
“There is a lot of scaremongering on social media from some people in relation to social housing and that they (new houses) are for refugees and asylum seekers. It’s coming up at a lot of doors (while canvassing),” he said.
In response, the council’s Area Manager, Colin McNulty, said that a number of new social housing projects were nearing completion.
However, he confirmed that neither refugees nor asylum seekers are entitled to be on the social housing list and are dealt with through other channels.
Cllr Harley concluded, too, there was a lot of scaremongering coming from certain elements.
“There is certainly a lot of scaremongering out there,” he said.
“A lot of the people coming into the country are very good people and do not want to be here, they would rather be in their own country.”
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