Ukrainians To Be Housed In Tented Accommodation

Friday, 1 September 2023 09:29

It's because of a shortage of beds for refugees.

Tented accommodation is expected be used for new arrivals from Ukraine starting from next week,

The Department of Integration says there are more than 24,600 temporary protection beneficiaries in Ireland at the moment

While the government has contracted almost 7,000 extra beds to accommodate 10,000 people who have fled to Ireland this Summer, there is still a significant shortage of housing for those seeking refuge in the coming weeks.

Failte Ireland's latest figures show one in five tourism beds in Offaly are contracted to the State, while that figure is 18% in Westmeath and 10% in Laois.

According to a spokesperson from the Department of Integration, as a result of this shortage, tented accommodation will soon be utilised to house new arrivals from Ukraine.

At the moment, there are 24,689 Ukrainians staying in hotels throughout the country, with the highest concentration being in Dublin 4,212, followed by Kerry 3,063 and Clare 2,944.

Monaghan has the lowest number of Ukrainians in hotels, with only 20 individuals seeking asylum there.

A campaigner believes accommodation can be found for refugees arriving in Ireland from Ukraine.

Founder of the Love Ukraine Benefit Alliance, Luba Healy, believes more suitable accommodation can be found: