A local Labour representative says any move to make asylum seekers pay towards accommodation must be fair and focused on outcomes, not used to disincentivise people coming here.
Liam Van Der Spek says many people seeking asylum come to Ireland fleeing dire circumstances such as war, famine, and climate crises, and often face long delays before being allowed to work.
His comments are a reaction to government proposals to considered working asylum seekers being required to contribute to their accommodation costs.
He says those who can work and contribute should be supported to do so, but warned against adding extra costs that would deter them.
Speaking on the Joe Finnegan show this morning, Mr Van Der Spek says the wider issue is Ireland's housing crisis, which affects many different types of people.
