Clare County Council has revealed that 63 properties which were granted under the ‘Offer a Home’ scheme are in use as accommodation for Ukrainian refugees.
The scheme, which was launched in December 2022, currently provides housing for 215 displaced Ukrainians.
New CSO data shows that 371 Ukrainians have arrived in Clare since February of this year which brings the total number in the county to 4,626.
Clare County Council’s Monthly Management Report shows the vast majority are housed in 34 multi-occupancy facilities with 3,864 in accommodation of this type.
Notably, this figure is down from 4,115 in February which is largely owing to certain hotel contracts ending.
650 Ukrainians are in residential accommodation with 215 in housing provided under the ‘Offer a Home’ scheme.
The council has received 119 offers of housing under the scheme, 113 of which have been assessed and 63 having been brought on-stream.
42% of the properties in use under the scheme are in West Clare with 24% in rural areas around Killaloe and 5% in rural areas around Ennis.
There have been 300 expressions of interest from Ukrainian families seeking ‘Offer a Home’ accommodation.
It has been noted that of the 350 Ukrainians in rented or privately hosted accommodation, some will soon find their arrangements coming to an end and the council has confirmed that it will work with those affected to provide alternative accommodation.
In addition, Clare is currently hosting 800 international protection applicants in Ennis, Tulla, Meelick, Inch and Lisdoonvarna.
An emergency accommodation centre in Scarriff will be brought on-stream later in the month.
The council has confirmed that it met with residents of Inch who expressed concerns about the use of the Magowna House Hotel as emergency accommodation.
In addition, it has confirmed that it will provide the necessary wraparound services in the community such as transport, job activation and medical assistance.
