Tánaiste Joan Burton has said there is no upper-limit to how many refugees Ireland may take.
Ireland has already exceeded its EU obligations by agreeing to take 600 asylum-seekers. Last week, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald indicated that we may take 1,800.
Speaking on The Colette Fitzpatrick Show on Newstalk, the Tánaiste said we could take as many as 5,000 refugees - but would not be drawn on how many will arrive.
She also clarified that the refugees who arrive here will not be placed into the Direct Provision system as they are fleeing war.
She told Colette: “I wouldn't like to put an upper limit on it because if Europe and America and the UK can get a peace settlement in Syria, then the kind of pressure will actually change to a different thing - which will be to rebuild Syria and to help those people who want to go home.
“We will take some of the people directly from the camps so they won't actually have to go through that awful risk of the sea and smugglers.”
The Tánaiste said refugees who arrive here will not stay under the Direct Provision system which has come under harsh criticism.
She said: “Somebody who comes in as a programme refugee starts off with an initial permission to stay in the country for a number of years.
“They will go into accommodation but they won't, as it were, be in the same category as the people in Direct Provision.
“The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have been working all this week looking at where there may be properties in the hands of the Office of Public Works, the various reception centres.
“It's a question of helping people.”
In the UK, David Cameron is reportedly preparing to allow up to 15-thousand Syrian refugees into the UK.
The Sunday Times of London claims the Prime Minster wants to persuade Labour MPs to back airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria.
It's understood he wants to hold a Commons vote on the matter within a month.
Here at home, the Irish Red Cross is preparing to set up a task force to help refugees arriving in Ireland.
The charity is appealing to people for donations to assist their 5 thousand volunteers in carry out humanitarian work here.
The organisation says preparations will get underway Monday morning.
Chair of the Irish Red Cross Pat Carey, says there are many ways that people can help:
