Ciara Phelan

Mar 29, 2024 | irishexaminer.com | Ciara Phelan

The day arrived that we had been waiting on for months. The  big plan to solve Ireland’s accommodation crisis for asylum seekers. It was also the day that the Government, particularly Roderic O’Gorman, the integration minister, would have hoped the noise around how he is handling the immigration issue would quieten. Not with this plan.

Mar 29, 2024 | irishexaminer.com | Ciara Phelan

Inside a monastery, over 100 years old, a wooden grid separates a group of enclosed nuns sitting silently, waiting for their visitor. It’s evident all over their faces they rarely spend time outdoors. Smooth skin, without a wrinkle — a sign of a life of no hardship, only peace. The walls are adorned with paintings and statues of Jesus Christ and Mary, mother of Jesus. The room is large and cold but there is a warm presence.

Mar 27, 2024 | irishexaminer.com | Ciara Phelan

A revised plan to house asylum-seekers will see the State purchase turn-key properties, empty offices and deliver rapid-build homes in a bid to deliver 14,000 extra beds by 2028. Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman also said the State needs 20 to 30 reception centres. A previous plan had said just six would be needed, but that was based on just 3,500 asylum seekers arriving. The reality now is between 13,000 and 16,000 people seeking international protection will arrive in Ireland every year.

Mar 26, 2024 | irishexaminer.com | Ciara Phelan

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said his successor Simon Harris will have a “tough job” deciding who will stay in an expected Cabinet reshuffle and confirmed that Wednesday will be his last time to attend Cabinet. Mr Varadkar was speaking to reporters outside Government Buildings as ministers are expected to sign off on the long-awaited revised immigration plan from Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman.

Mar 26, 2024 | irishexaminer.com | Ciara Phelan |Paul Hosford

Proposals that will see 800,000 private sector workers automatically enrolled in a pension are expected to be approved by Cabinet on Wednesday. Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, will formally seek Cabinet approval for the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill. The model is similar to the old scheme – meaning the employee makes a contribution that is matched by their employer and there is a further top up from the State.