Joe O'Brien

Joe O’Brien refuses to ‘sugarcoat’ situation and says ‘inadequate’ number of alternative beds currently on offer

Junior minister Joe O’Brien says anti-refugee protesters have ‘crossed the line’ with their comments

Ministers will also consider €50 million fund for communities helping refugees

Ministerial briefing papers outline that present model of accommodation provision is ‘unsustainable’

Increase in number of asylum seekers reignites old debates about Ireland’s ‘pull factor’ for migrants

Joe O’Brien says migrant reception system needs structural overhaul as he tends integration portfolio

Minister of State says similar numbers of refugees from war could arrive this year as in 2022

Timeline for rolling out modular accommodation for refugees has been ‘recalibrated’

Community centres, parish halls, GAA clubhouses, Men’s Sheds, youth halls and more to benefit from grants

The welfare budget is also set to be supplemented by one-off measures

Progress at talks has been fitful and over the weekend parties failed to resolve key issues