Refugees

Flotels are not a ‘silver bullet’ for migrant accommodation - McGrath

Finance Minister says government’s preference is to use vacant or unused building stock

  • May 25, 2023
Michael McGrath, the Minister for Finance, says that government "has made progress in recent days“ to find solutions to the refugee accommodation crisis. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has said the use of so-called floating hotels, or “flotels”, is not a “silver bullet” for housing international protection applicants.

His comments come after the Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman said flotels could offer safe accommodation.

However, McGrath said the consideration of flotels is at an “early stage” and it is uncertain if that will progress to O’Gorman bringing a recommendation to Government.

Asked by reporters if he would personally support flotels, McGrath said: “There is no single answer, there’s no silver bullet, we are looking at all accommodation options that are there across the country.”