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Integration Department Signs New Contract To Accommodate 950 Refugees In Stradbally

Tuesday, 17 October 2023 10:19

By Kamron Clarke X @kamron_clarke

The original contract was due to expire today.

Up to 950 Ukrainian refugees will be accommodated in a midlands town, as the Department of Integration has renewed a contract with the provider.

The original agreement with Stradbally Hall, which allowed up to 750 people fleeing the war in Ukraine to stay in tented accommodation for six weeks, was due to expire today.

But, the Department has signed off on a new deal for a period of 32 weeks, starting from November 6th.

Chair of the Laois Integration Network, Karen McHugh, says they'll be housed in insulated cabins:

In a statement to Midlands 103, The Department of Integration says:

"The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is now accommodating over 97,510 people.

With more than 650 people now arriving each week from Ukraine seeking state-supported accommodation, the Department is activating contingency measures in order that accommodation may be available throughout the winter months. 

These options must be considered to try to provide shelter and prevent homelessness for the unprecedented numbers of people arriving seeking protection.

This emergency accommodation will entail the use of winter-ready cabins at sites in Stradbally, Laois and Glendalough House, Wicklow. It is intended that each site will accommodate up to 950 people, with the contract in place for a period of 32 weeks.

Support services will be provided at the sites to assist people in adjusting to life in Ireland and to aid better integration and independence.

The accommodation will be heated cabins, enclosed within marquee-type structures containing ancillary facilities. It is intended that the accommodation will come into use from November 6th and November 20th.

At Stradbally, the winter-ready accommodation will be located on an area separate from the current tented accommodation, which will be removed once the cabins are ready.

The Community Engagement Team has contacted local representatives and local councils to brief them on the use of the sites."

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