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
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 ...