The Department of Children, Equality, Integration and Youth has confirmed that discussions surrounding the provision of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees at Scariff House are at an advantaged stage.
The International Protection Accommodation Service/Ukrainian Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team is responding to an offer of accommodation and has been engaging with the provider.
The Department says it’s expected this facility will accommodate family configurations and that this property can be brought into use in the near future to provide accommodation to International Protection applicants.
In a statement to Clare FM, it goes on to say that the Department is “engaged with local representatives, the local authority and are providing accurate information about the proposed use of the property”.
Below is the full statement from the Department of Children, Equality, Integration and Youth to Clare FM.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS)/ Ukrainian Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team (UCTAT) is providing accommodation to over 83,000 people seeking refuge in Ireland. This is accommodation for a population equivalent to Galway City. Since January 2022, IPAS has brought 140 properties across 25 counties into use to ensure that all those who arrive in Ireland seeking shelter can be accommodated. IPAS are currently accommodating 20,425, with 3,456 arrivals in the first nineteen weeks of 2023.
IPAS/UCTAT is responding to an offer of accommodation made in respect of Scariff House. IPAS have been engaging with the provider of this property and discussions are at an advanced stage. It is expected this facility will accommodate family configurations. It is anticipated that this property can be brought into use in the near future to provide accommodation to IP applicants. The Department is engaged with local representatives, the local authority and are providing accurate information about the proposed use of the property.
Services for all International Protection applicants are mainstreamed, and applicants access them through the same referral pathways as Irish citizens. For health services, including referrals to disability and mental health services, this is through primary care, GP referral and emergency services. Education is also fully mainstreamed, and children have the same access to supports as Irish nationals.
