Latest news with #BeneficiariesofTemporaryProtection
The Journal
01-08-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Ukrainians leave jobs and pets behind as they're forced to leave Co Cork hotel
THE EVICTION OF around 400 Ukrainians from a hotel in Co Cork has been described as an 'affront to humanity'. The 120-room Quality Hotel in Redbarn outside Youghal had hosted Ukrainian families since April 2022. They were informed in January that they would have less than a month to find alternative accommodation but this was then pushed out to 31 July. In January, the people at the hotel were told that accommodation would be offered elsewhere to those who need it and that 'every effort will be made to keep them as close to their current location as possible'. However, the Department of Integration noted that 'given the significant number of moves planned, this may not always be possible'. The statement added that the provider at this site has expressed an interest in providing accommodation for international protection following the end of the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection contract. Responsibility for integration matters has since been passed to the Department of Justice. 'Unjust' Fiona Corcoran of The Greater Chernobyl Cause told The Journal that around 250 people left the hotel, while others had left earlier. The Greater Chernobyl Cause is a humanitarian aid charity based in Co Cork and founded by Corcoran. She said it was 'unjust to forcibly remove Ukrainian residents from their sanctuary' and criticised the Department of Justice for not allowing people to bring their pets with them. 'The Government allowed our Ukrainian refugees to bring in their pets from war torn Ukraine and now they're forcing them to find new homes for their animals,' said Corcoran. 'These pets provide essential emotional support in coping with the trauma caused by the death and occupation and conflict and the experience of becoming a refugee. 'One of the women I spoke to said she brought her dog to a friend's house and that this is 'maybe for a while, or maybe forever'.' The people who were being accommodated at the Quality Hotel are now being relocated in various areas around Ireland, including in neighbouring Co Kerry and Co Waterford, but also as far away as Co Louth. 'It's actually an affront to humanity, as far as I'm concerned,' said Corcoran of the relocation. She said that the people in the hotel had 'absolutely no say whatsoever' in where they are sent to. Advertisement 'For some people, it's actually the third time their being forcibly moved, because when Russia invaded Crimea back in 2014 some of these people lost their homes. 'Then they had to move again in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine, and now once again they have to move because our Government is uprooting them.' Corcoran also criticised the decision to move some of the people to the village of Portmagee in Kerry. 'There's one bus a day there, and that's actually booked in advance,' said Corcoran. 'So transport is a huge issue, there's no GP, and the nearest hospital is 90 minutes away.' One woman who had to move from the hotel told Newstalk that she has been resettled in Waterford. 'We hope that something could change, because everybody would like to stay here,' she said. 'Don't give false hope' She also noted that around 150 of those who were living in the hotel were employed locally. 'Our government hasn't a clue what it's doing because that's after creating unemployment of 150 people,' said Corcoran. 'The Government says it's cost saving but how can it be cost saving if people are losing their jobs and then they're on the live register.' She also voiced concern that the move could impact on job security for special educational needs assistants who primarily worked with Ukrainian children. Corcoran also remarked that the move is 'very upsetting for the Youghal community because these Ukrainians are part of the community'. 'They're part of the GAA and other sports and school choirs, so the locals are very, very upset and very sad to see that the Ukrainians have moved on. Meanwhile, Cocoran said she is 'very cross' with one of the local politicians. While she didn't name this politician, she said: 'He knows who he is and shame on him. 'He gave me a guarantee last week that he would be with the Ukrainians in Youghal on Monday, and then chose not to take our calls. 'If you're not going to get involved, that's fine, but don't give false hope to these Ukrainians who left their war torn country and who have lost close family members.' The Department of Justice has been approached for comment. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Extra.ie
31-07-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
Scheme to house Ukrainians 'is hindering the rental market'
The scheme to help house Ukrainians is having a 'negative impact' on the rental market, the Cabinet has been told. Ministers this week decided any property registered with the Residential Tenancies Board since 2022 will be exempt from the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) that helps house Ukrainians. This is due to concerns it was 'impacting on the rental market'. Sources indicated that councils had noted situations where landlords had evicted tenants and then offered accommodation through the ARP scheme instead. The scheme to help house Ukrainians is having a 'negative impact' on the rental market, the Cabinet has been told. Pic: Getty Images Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan and Housing Minister James Browne got approval this week for proposals to limit the eligibility of some properties for the ARP. The ARP is a tax-free, €600-a-month payment given to those providing accommodation pledged to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine. The changes mean any property registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) at any time since January 1, 2022 will be ineligible for a new application for the ARP. Existing claimants are unaffected. It is expected that a memo will be submitted in the autumn seeking the Government's approval of the publication of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which will contain the legal changes for this amendment. Senior Government sources said the goal of the change is to 'limit further exits of properties' from the rental market to house Ukrainians. There are around 20,000 homes using the scheme. Sources said that of these, just over 3,000 homes that had been on the RTB register were removed, while still being used as part of the ARP scheme, to accommodate Ukrainians instead. Around 5,700 homes were added to the RTB by other owners of properties who were using the ARP scheme. Senior Government sources said the goal of the change is to 'limit further exits of properties' from the rental market to house Ukrainians. Pic: Getty Images The remaining 11,000 or so homes are not on the register and are likely to have Ukrainians living in them. The ARP scheme is also not governed by Rent Pressure Zones. Some landlords were taking properties off the rental market and renting them out under the ARP scheme, with the intention to put them back on the market at market rent, instead of being governed by the annual 2% rule. There is now a fear some landlords may evict Ukrainians on March 1 next year when they will be able to reset the rates to market levels under the rules introduced by Minister Browne this year. Government sources said there were problems in the system and the latest measure were designed to deal with them. They stressed that the proposals were not retrospective and would apply to properties not used to house Ukrainians. One Cabinet minister said: 'It's to stop the movement of units out of the private rental sector, into this sector. That's been a trend that is of concern to the Department of Housing. So, it was to put that extra layer of conditionality on how it works.' There is a concern that if the Government reduces the €600 fee even further it could have a 'spillover' back into the private rental market. Sources indicated that councils had noted situations where landlords had evicted tenants and then offered accommodation through the ARP scheme instead. Pic: Shutterstock The minister added: 'I mean, in some instances it could be holiday homes or homes that wouldn't otherwise be put on the private rental side. But in the overall scheme of things, it's trying to mitigate that risk.' Sinn Féin has been calling for a full review of the system. Its justice and home affairs spokesman, Matt Carthy, said the move by the Government did not go 'far enough'. He said figures obtained via parliamentary questions showed a 17% rise in properties getting payment under the scheme since the start of 2025. He said the scheme was 'deeply unfair' as it gives access to non-means-tested housing support to one group of people but not to others, even where those others may be on lower wages.
Irish Independent
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Two Mayo hotels will no longer house Ukrainian refugees
According to an email sent to elected representatives from the Department of Justice's Community Engagement Team, the 45-room hotel will stop providing accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Hotel Newport, is also to stop providing accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in the coming months. Residents living in Hotel Newport (7) must vacate by July 31 while the 55 people living in Downhill Inn must relocate by August 29. Located on the Sligo Road in Ballina, The Downhill Inn was one of several Mayo properties that has accommodated Ukrainian refugees after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. At one point, over 20pc of Mayo's tourism bed stock was being used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees or international protection applicants. The Department of Justice confirmed that the owners of the Downhill Inn and Hotel Newport have not expressed an interest in providing accommodation to people seeking international protection 'and the Department is not considering them for this use'. 'The need for accommodation for people affected by the war in Ukraine is reducing and this is expected to continue,' the Department said. 'Many people are choosing to move on from State-supported accommodation or are leaving Ireland. State accommodation contracts may also be ending where compliance issues arise, or where the owner chooses to end their contract. 'Because the Department must ensure value for money and an effective system overall, this means some people will be moved to other locations, if they still require State-contracted accommodation. Properties can then return to their original use.' The Department advised that given 'the number of moves that will take place over the next few weeks, and the dispersed nature of our available accommodation options, new accommodation may not be available in the same area'. Exceptional circumstances regarding provision of accommodation can be raised with the Department, which will consider 'HSE assessed medical need' when allocating follow-on accommodation. 'We appreciate that this is not easy for people and that moving location may be very disruptive. We need to provide the best we can for all those who came to Ireland fleeing the war in Ukraine, while balancing this with the requirement to make best possible use of State funds.' Across the country 12,000 beds returned to tourism from use by the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth from May-November 2024.
The Journal
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Minister to bring forward plans to purchase Dublin's Citywest Hotel
JUSTICE MINISTER JIM O'Callaghan is to bring forward proposals to purchase the Citywest Hotel in Dublin for asylum-seeker accommodation. The minister got Cabinet approval today to extend the use of the hotel for international protection and Ukrainian applicants for another three months, until the start of September. This will cost an estimated €17 million to cover lease of the facilities and the provision of services. Along with the proposal to purchase the 764-bedroom hotel, a detailed value for money appraisal will be brought to government shortly. Advertisement There is ongoing engagement between the minister's Department and the Department of Public Expenditure on the details of the planned purchase of the facility. The move to purchase the hotel comes as the Department of Justice stepped back from contentious plans to convert the site of the former Crown Paints in Coolock to Ipas accommodation. The site had been at the centre of many protests – some of which turned violent. The Citywest Transit Hub is used to provide emergency stay-over facilities for approximately 400-450 IP applicants and separately accommodation for 1,350 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Need more clarity and context on how migration is being discussed in Ireland? Check out our new FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online. Visit Knowledge Bank Related Reads Gary Gannon: Fear is what drives immigration protests in neglected communities, not hatred Anti-immigration picket over refugee accommodation sparks tensions in Dublin's Liberties Opinion: Irish people being against immigration is like Brazilian people being against football Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Extra.ie
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
OPW in more hot water over cost of refugee schemes
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is at the centre of another spending controversy after it emerged that modular homes in a housing development for Ukrainian refugees cost almost twice as much as units on another, similar site. Figures provided by outgoing Integration Minister Norma Foley revealed a €200,000-plus difference in the cost of building units in the two schemes. An opposition leader this weekend said the OPW has 'serious questions to answer' as he called for the Dáil spending watchdog to investigate the matter. Outgoing Integration Minister Norma Foley. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire Ms Foley confirmed 62 'new modular accommodation units' housing 248 people were built at the Columb Barracks site in Mullingar, operated by the Land Development Agency (LDA), at an average cost of 'approximately €220,000'. In response to parliamentary queries from Aontú leader Peadar Tòibín, Ms Foley said the cost of the modular 42sq m (560sq ft) units is 'inclusive of supply, delivery, fitting out and the site development and water connection costs'. However, the minister confirmed far higher costs to build similar modular units under the Government's Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) Rapid Build Programme, which she said is being led by the OPW 'in conjunction with my department'. Ms Foley confirmed 572 units were built in sites across the country where 2,312 residents 'moved into their new homes'. And she said works 'are currently ongoing at the final development at a HSEowned site in Heywood, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, which has been identified as viable by OPW to accommodate 82 units'. Haywood Place, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Pic: Tom Honan Ms Foley said the cost of the programme is estimated to be €253.7m, but she added that, as 'the project is still ongoing, it is not possible to fully specify a final overall programme figure'. Asked the average cost per modular unit under the scheme, the department told 'The average cost of the units is €436,000. This includes the cost of the units, inclusive of supply, delivery and provision of loose electrical and household items, site development and utility connection costs, etc relating to the overall development. The units are 44sq m (474sq ft).' Commenting on the huge price difference between similar modular refugee developments, Aontú leader Peadar Tòibín said 'the OPW has serious questions to answer'. The Meath West TD told 'There appears to be neither reason nor rationale behind the scenario where similar housing comes in at twice the price, especially where land costs are not relevant. Once again, the taxpayer is left footing the bill for serial ineptitude, and this must be examined by the Public Accounts Committee.' The OPW has been mired in controversy in recent months over wasteful spending on several taxpayer-funded projects. These include the infamous €336,000 bike shed, the €1.4m security 'hut' at an entrance to Government Buildings, and €490,000 spent on a 70-metre 'wall of shame' outside the headquarters of the Workplace Relations Commission. Peadar Tóibín. Pic: Fran Veale Mr Tòibín said of the huge refugee accommodation costs: 'These units are temporary and will not last more than 50 or 60 years, yet more has been spent on them by the Government than it would cost to purchase an actual real concrete house which could remain in public ownership for centuries.' Last September, a report published by the Comptroller and Auditor General found the average cost of a modular home for Ukrainian refugees had increased to €442,000 – almost the same amount cited by the department this week for units under this Rapid Build Programme. This figure is also more than double the initial €200,000 per unit estimated by the Department of Integration to build 500 modular homes in June 2022. The proposals were brought forward in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the arrival of tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees here. An initial budget of €100m was approved, with the expected delivery of modular units by the end of February 2023. But it rose to €140m by November 2022, with the OPW citing contractor costs and VAT for the increase. Costs rose to €155m in January 2023, increasing the cost per unit to an average of €310,000. Asked about the huge price disparity for the different refugee schemes, the OPW said: 'This is a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).' The DCEDIY said in a statement: 'Ten Rapid Build Sites have been delivered. The final site, in Heywood, Clonmel, will be completed by end June 2025. This will bring the final output of the programme to 654 units, with a capacity to accommodate 2,640 BOTPs [Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection fleeing the war in Ukraine].' Explaining the price difference, a DCEDIY spokesman said: 'Many of the sites were sub-optimal, requiring significant remedial work [which added to the cost] .' They said of Columb Barracks: 'The cost of each unit was approximately €220,000 (42sq m/452sq ft), inclusive of supply, delivery, fitting out and the site development and water connection costs.'
