Sinn Féin to propose new immigration management agency

Sinn Féin will publish plans later today to establish a new immigration management agency that would oversee the processing of applications and accommodation for people seeking International Protection here.

The party is proposing that new accommodation centres should only be placed in more affluent areas where there are services to support them and there should be more engagement with communities considered as suitable locations.

Sinn Féin is pledging to treble staffing across the system at a cost of €82 million so that there are fast and fair decisions on International Protection and to return people not eligible to stay in this country.

There would also be a greater use of purpose-built State owned accommodation for those seeking International Protection.

A party policy document will also say that every state must be able to control its borders.

Sinn Féin says this means that co-operation and robust bilateral arrangements with Britain are necessary in order to protect the free movement of citizens across the land border on the Island of Ireland while simultaneously managing immigration.

Sinn Féin believes that the special status of Ukrainians under the Temporary Protection Directive should end in March 2026.

After this, people from what the party describes as a "part of Ukraine that is safe" should be assisted to return to the country while those from unsafe areas can apply for international protection.

The party says it would abolish the monthly €800 Accommodation Recognition Payment as it is putting people seeking rental accommodation at a severe disadvantage.

Sinn Féin also wants to look at introducing registration requirements for EU and European Economic Area citizens living here.

Harris to commit to abolishing Carer's Allowance means test

Meanwhile, Fine Gael leader Simon Harris will commit to abolishing the Carer's Allowance means test and to introducing a new Family Carer Payment of €325 per week if his party is returned to government.

It is understood the Fine Gael manifesto will commit to an immediate doubling of the weekly income limits so that a couple can earn €2,500 per week and still qualify for the full Carer's Allowance payment.

In a situation where a mother has to give up her job to provide full-time care to a child with special needs, this would mean her husband could earn an annual salary of €130,000 and she would still qualify for the payment.

This limit would continue to be increased in each Budget with the means test completed phased out over the lifetime of the next government.

Both the Green Party and the Social Democrats will publish climate policies today while People Before Profit will launch its election manifesto which will include a wealth tax on multi-millionaires.

Fianna Fáil will detail plans to further cut health charges including extending free GP care to all under 12s.

Aontú will launch its policy on agriculture and rural Ireland.