Poll: Half of Irish people say crime will rise if we take in 4,000 refugees
An overwhelming majority (88%) of people who took part in a Newstalk/Red C poll also believe refugees should be Garda vetted.
However, most people (67%) support the Government’s commitment to receive 4,000 refugees but one in three believe the figure is too many. One in five believe Ireland should take more.
It also found that most people remain open to accommodating refugees in their communities — 60% are happy to have refugees live close to where they live.
Irish Refugee Council Chief executive Sue Conlon said people’s concerns about refugees were not well-founded.
“Refugees are security cleared, either before they come or when they arrive in the country and their fingerprints are taken,” she said.
Ms Conlon said some people might be confusing EU migrants with refugees. Ms Conlon said she the survey showed people were willing to have refugees live alongside them as long as they had security clearance.
Ms Conlon said her biggest concern was that the poll might have confused issues and wanted to pursue the matter further.
“Some people’s views may have mistakenly been given because they did not have accurate information about refugees and that was not their fault,” said Ms Conlon.
“I would like to see the questions these people were asked.”
When it comes to housing refugees, the survey found that 65% of Irish people believe local authority housing would be the most suitable. Some 43% of people support direct provision, 38% support voluntary host accommodation, with 26% favouring hostels and hotels.
Red C Research Chief executive Richard Colwellsaid it was clear that immigration is an issue that divides voters in Ireland.
“A third of voters believe bringing in 4,000 refugees from Syria is too many,” he said. “Even more are concerned about the possible impact of increased crime, with the majority demanding Garda vetting.
“However, if assured by proper vetting, the majority of Irish citizens retain their legendary welcome for outsiders, showing a clear desire to help at least the 4,000 refugees that has been agreed and an openness to accommodating them in close proximity to their homes.”
The refugees will be taken in over the next two years as part of the new Irish Refugee Protection Programme. Around 200 have already arrived in Ireland.
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said assessments and decisions on refugee status would be made within weeks.
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