Why Ireland Should Prioritize Affordable Housing for Native Workers Over Asylum Centres?

Ireland, known for its many welcomes, faces a paradox in its housing policy that deserves immediate attention. While the country grapples with an affordable housing crisis, pushing skilled Irish workers to consider emigration, significant resources are being allocated to asylum centres. Here’s why a shift towards prioritizing affordable housing for native Irish workers makes not just economic sense but also upholds the principle of fairness.

Economic Efficiency and National Investment

Investing in housing for native workers directly benefits the Irish economy. Skilled workers, who are the backbone of any thriving economy, require stable housing to settle, raise families, and contribute to local economies. When these workers are forced to emigrate due to housing costs, Ireland loses not just its people but also their potential contributions in taxes, innovation, and cultural continuity. Conversely, the cost of maintaining asylum centres, often through taxpayer money, might not yield the same direct economic return, as many asylum seekers are not immediately integrated into the workforce due to language, skills and other practical barriers.

Social Cohesion and Integration

Creating affordable housing for native workers fosters social cohesion. When people feel they have a stake in their community, they’re more likely to invest in it, both emotionally and financially. This investment leads to stronger community ties, lower crime rates, and a more integrated society. 

Fairness in Resource Allocation

The current system where public resources are disproportionately allocated towards asylum housing can be seen as unfair by many native Irish. This sentiment isn’t about xenophobia but about equity. Irish workers, who contribute through taxes, see these resources being used in ways that don’t directly benefit them or their community’s immediate needs. Redirecting these resources towards affordable housing for citizens could be viewed as a more equitable distribution, especially when many of these workers are struggling to afford a place to live.

Encouraging Return Migration

Ireland has a long history of its citizens seeking better opportunities abroad. By prioritizing housing for native workers, Ireland could encourage its diaspora to return, bringing back skills, capital, and a desire to contribute to their homeland. This brain gain could significantly boost Ireland’s economic and cultural landscape.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

The argument isn’t against helping those in need but about the method and scale. Asylum policies should be compassionate but also realistic, considering Ireland’s capacity. There’s a growing sentiment in Ireland that the current approach might not be sustainable or fair. Legal pathways for immigration through work visas, coupled with a robust system for integration, could be more beneficial in the long run than the current asylum centre model.

Case study: Coolock Says No

The placement of an asylum centre in the middle of Coolock, without regular planning permission, fire certs or proper security, has been met with great hostility from the locals. Vicious police brutality suppressing peaceful protests has led to riots and the proposed building site being burned down 5 nights in a row.

Previously the Old Crown Paint factory had applied for planning permission to build 200 apartments, a creche and other useful facilities for the community. If this plan had gone ahead we would have not seen any riots nor the Garda pepper-spraying an elderly woman going to church.    

Conclusion

The call for replacing asylum centres with affordable housing for native Irish workers isn’t about closing doors but about opening them for those who’ve been waiting outside. It’s about recognizing the contributions of Irish workers, ensuring they have a place in their own country, and fostering a society where everyone feels they have a stake. This approach could lead to a more balanced, integrated, and economically vibrant Ireland, where both natives and newcomers see a future worth investing in. 

Let’s build homes for those who build Ireland.