Press release
Statement regarding accommodation arrangements over the Christmas and New Year period
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth wishes to advise that over the Christmas period, the Citywest Transit Hub will be closed for processing from 24/12/22 to 27/12/22 inclusive. Despite being closed for processing, the transit hub will remain fully operational for those in situ.
Those arriving into the State from Ukraine during this time and in need of accommodation will be accommodated temporarily at designated Local Authority sites. Those arriving during this time will be met at the point of entry into the State and directed to the relevant site.
Minister O’Gorman and department officials met with the Ukrainian Ambassador, Larysa Gerasko, during the week (14 December) to discuss arrangements over the coming weeks. It is expected that procurement of additional accommodation will be very challenging for the period up to 13 January.
Given this, it was agreed during the meeting that the Ukrainian ambassador would relay the message that, where those in Ukraine considering coming to Ireland are currently in a safe location, it is advised to remain there at this time.
The department would like to place on record its thanks to Ambassador Gerasko for her support and cooperation.
State-provided accommodation is very limited in Ireland at the moment both for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and for International Protection applicants. This shortage of State-provided accommodation is likely to continue into early January.
The State is now accommodating more than 50,000 people from Ukraine, as well as 18,000 International Protection applicants.
The department would ask Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and International Protection applicants who are currently in situations of safety not to travel to Ireland, if possible, over the next fortnight and to defer making travel plans to come to Ireland until the New Year.
The department will work throughout the Christmas period with its colleagues in civil society to provide a place to sleep for those arriving during this period. It wishes those who have made their homes here this year a safe and peaceful Christmas.