A West Clare Councillor is calling on the Government to ‘get its act together’ and provide financial and staffing supports to communities in this county that are accommodating Ukrainian refugees.
Nearly 2,000 Ukrainian people are now staying across sixteen different venues in Clare.
Clare County Council is expecting a further influx of people fleeing the war-torn state over the next number of weeks, with Council CEO Pat Dowling warning of “significant challenges ahead” to ensure they are accommodated.
Last evening’s monthly meeting of Clare Councillors heard the local authority has been given ‘a clear mandate’ by central Government to identify accommodation here for people coming from Ukraine.
It’s understood the Council is already facing serious challenges on the availability of housing here, with community services already under significant pressure.
1,916 Ukrainian refugees are staying here as of last Monday, though this does not include those taken in by family members and other private dwellers.
Fine Gael Councillor and former Mayor of Clare Mary Howard says a medium term strategy is needed.
The Cathaoirleach of the West Clare Municipal District meanwhile believes the State needs to provide the financial backing to this county to ensure it can continue to properly accommodate thousands of Ukrainian refugees.
Kilkee-based Fianna Fail Councillor Cillian Murphy says there’s only so far volunteers and charitable organisations in the area can go.
Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O Gorman is visiting Clare today, with questions relating to ongoing supports to accommodate Ukrainian refugees here sure to be high on the agenda.
