More centres added to Ukraine programme

By Dan Walsh

A meeting of the Ukrainian Community Response Forum took place earlier this month where members reported on activity in their respective areas and highlighted some particularly difficult cases.

A presentation on the Local Authority led Offer A Home programme showed an increasing number of both Ukrainian and Irish families who entered informal pledges are now seeking support on advice.

It is reported that “The team have successfully managed to retain most of the holiday homes pledged under Offer A Home, giving the property owners back their homes for the summer period whilst temporarily relocating the Ukrainian families. This gives continuity for the Ukrainian family and the property owner.”

There are 3,200 displaced Ukrainians living in County Wexford with Rosslare (739) the highest and Kilmuckridge (220) is the lowest.

Three new centres will open under the Ukraine Refurbishment Programme in the coming months at the old Wexford Garda Station (capacity 50), Borrmount Lodge, Edermine, near Bree (capacity 38) and 22, Rafter St, Enniscorthy, over the old Ulster Bank (15 capacity).

Each centre will provide family accommodation in 2,3 and 4 bedrooms. Residents will share a common kitchen, dining, living areas and bathrooms, and all projects will be developed to Temporary Accommodation Standards.

The projects will be contracted by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, subject to the works being completed to a satisfactory standard.