Opinion

Shane Coleman: State has the will but falls down on the ability to deliver for refugees

Ireland is out of sync with the rest of the EU on welfare rates and the row over changes to accommodation lays bare the absence of any proper planning for Ukrainians coming here

We have a state that genuinely wants to do the right thing – and in today’s world that is a blessing. But the worry is that it doesn’t have the ability to properly do so. Picture: Getty

For the best and worst of the Irish state and public policy – what we do well and what we do badly – look no further than last week’s cabinet spat over accommodation for Ukrainian refugees.

First, the good. To quote Nick Henderson of the Irish Refugee Council, Ireland has done “amazing things” in welcoming almost 100,000 Ukrainians – three-quarters of whom are being looked after in state accommodation.

In just over a year and ...