Fears refugees will be ‘ghettoised’

Thousands of refugees escaping the Mediterranean crisis could be “ghettoised” and housed in a single campus location for years unless the Government puts in place practical medium-term measures to cope with the sudden influx in people.

Oireachtas justice committee members from across the political divide made the claim after holding a detailed briefing with Ireland’s naturalisation and immigration services yesterday.

Speaking at an update on the ongoing emergency, acting director general of the Irish naturalisation and immigration service Michael Kirrane and head of the refugee applications commission David Costello both stressed plans are being drawn up.