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The Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Group that helped Ukrainians and hosts warns of rise in exploitation since it got defunded
A GRASSROOTS SCHEME that was contracted to help provide accommodation to Ukrainian people in Ireland has said that its contract with the Irish Red Cross has not been renewed. The group, Helping Irish Hosts, says it fears that exploitation of both hosts and Ukrainian people could rise as a result. Helping Irish Hosts was formed by a group of hosts in response to the crisis that arose following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. For 18 months it has operated a hotline that gave advice to hosts and temporary protection beneficiaries in Ireland and received more than 80 calls a day on average. They also helped Ukrainians and hosts to connect and provided ongoing supports and resources to people living in Ireland under hosting arrangements. Angie Gough, the CEO and founder of the organisation, told The Journal that Helping Irish Hosts had made the case to continue on its work as the number of payments being made to households under the scheme is at its highest level ever. 'We had 26 people working part-time and a hotline that operated for 40 hours a week. We are still operating that for two hours a week on a voluntary basis. We were working on a scale equivalent to the National Women's Council, and had an average of 85 calls a day. The demand didn't go, but that hotline is gone now,' she said. She said that the organisation made the case for continuing on its work due to ongoing demand but its contract was not renewed. The Irish Red Cross told The Journal that the charity is the lead service provider for the Ukraine Pledged Accommodation Programme and that it operates the programme under 'specific direction' from the Department of Justice. A spokesperson said that earlier this year, Helping Irish Hosts shared its desire for a 'strategic shift in the programme', adding 'which is their right'. 'This change did not align with the agreed direction of the programme. The programme's scope of work and funding remain unchanged,' the Irish Red Cross added. Advertisement It said that it wants to acknowledge the work Helping Irish Hosts has done in placing people in accommodation and supporting their placements. The Department of Justice has allocated €4,538,506 to the Irish Red Cross for 2025 for providing supports including the management of accommodation pledged by the Irish public. The Department of Justice said that the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) scheme is being administered by the Department of Social Protection on its behalf and that while the Irish Red Cross has no role in the administration of that scheme, it is contracted to support the State's humanitarian response to the Ukraine crisis. 'The Department has funded the Irish Red Cross to deliver a programme of accommodation and integration supports for those who fled the war in Ukraine,' a spokesperson said. They added that information on the amount of funding provided to the Irish Red Cross in previous years is not available. Last month The Journal reported that there has been a considerable rise in the numbers involved in the scheme. Since January of this year, an additional 3,125 payments have been made to property owners. At the same time, the Government has ended contracts with over one hundred accommodation centres that have returned to their original use, which has led to Ukrainian people seeking hosted accommodation in areas where they have integrated over the last two years. Sinn Féin has called for a review of the scheme . Gough has previously stated that a rise in the number of 'solo hosts' who are not arranging their accommodation through the Irish Red Cross register of pledged accommodation means that there is now more room for both hosts and Ukrainians to be exploited. In cases that Helping Irish Hosts dealt with in the past, Ukrainian people were being charged rent and excessive 'top-up payments' despite property owners receiving payments under the scheme. 'People opt to go outside of the scheme and make their own arrangements as they feel that the scheme is too onerous and there can be a lack of response from agencies involved, and it will be worse now that we aren't there in that space. 'We could see the rise in independent hosts from early doors, and it was matched in the amount of difficult cases we would see, because we were the only ones servicing that space,' Gough said. She said that the landscape for hosting has changed in Ireland and that 'opportunities have been lost' in terms of widening the scheme out and offering it to people who want to host refugees from countries like Palestine and Afghanistan. 'How the Government thinks that everybody can be accommodated in people's homes indefinitely without support and resources and someone helping them to identify clear pathways forward, I don't know,' she added. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... 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Irish Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Relocation of Palestinian families to Donegal paused amid concerns over access to healthcare
The transfer of a group of Palestinian families from their accommodation in Dublin to new housing in Donegal has been put on hold. They arrived in Ireland through a medical evacuation programme last year. The Irish Red Cross had arranged for the families of six seriously ill children to be moved from private residential housing in south Dublin, where they have lived since arriving in Ireland in December 2024, to an apartment complex in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, on Tuesday, August 12th. However, The Irish Times understands a decision was made on Monday to put the transfer on hold so that all concerns raised by the mothers of the children can be addressed before the move takes place. A new transfer date has not been selected, but it is understood the Irish Red Cross is keen to ensure the families are settled into their new accommodation before the school year begins. The group will still be moved into the previously earmarked accommodation in Letterkenny, the organisation said. READ MORE The women are concerned their sick children will not receive adequate healthcare in Letterkenny and say there was no clear consultation in the lead-up to the move. They have called for alternative accommodation to be found within a two-hour commute of Dublin. The Irish Red Cross said the Dublin accommodation where the group currently live will become unavailable from September. Consultation with the families regarding this move began last March. The mothers, their sick children and 11 younger siblings arrived in December 2024 as part of the State's commitment to evacuate up to 30 ill children from Gaza via Egypt. A second group of paediatric patients arrived in May. The arrival of the third group of up to 18 children has been stalled amid concerns over visas for their siblings. The mothers learned of their transfer in a letter dated July 29th from the Irish Red Cross, which is contracted by the Department of Health to support the families. The Irish Red Cross previously said the families of children who require ongoing specialist treatment will remain in Dublin. Volunteers working with the women had recommended they be moved to a housing unit in Kilkenny which has been assessed by the organisation. It is understood, however, that this housing is not available until October. 'We are single mothers without the support of husbands or extended family, which makes moving to a distant location far more difficult and distressing,' the mothers said. A separate letter sent to TDs and local councillors by volunteers working with the women said building a local south Dublin support network since the group's arrival had required 'energy, resources and trust building'. The Irish Red Cross said it has engaged with the local Letterkenny integration team, community groups, schools and creche providers ahead of the mooted move, and Arabic-speaking caseworkers will provide 'dedicated, wraparound support'.
Irish Times
7 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Palestinian mothers of seriously ill children refuse relocation to Donegal
The mothers of eight seriously ill Palestinian children have said they will not leave their Dublin accommodation on Tuesday when they are scheduled to be transferred to new housing in Co Donegal. The Irish Red Cross (IRC) had arranged for six families to be moved from private residential housing in South Dublin, where they have lived since arriving in Ireland in December, to an apartment complex in Letterkenny . It said the Dublin accommodation will be unavailable from September and is keen to relocate the Palestinian families before the new school year begins. Consultation with the families regarding this move began last March. However, the women are concerned for their children who were medically evacuated to Ireland. They fear they will not receive adequate healthcare in Letterkenny and say there was no clear consultation. They have called for the relocation to be postponed until alternative accommodation can found within a two-hour commute of Dublin. READ MORE The mothers, their sick children and 11 younger siblings arrived in December 2024 as part of the State's commitment to evacuate up to 30 ill children from Gaza via Egypt. A second group of paediatric patients arrived in May. The arrival of the third group of up to 18 children has been stalled amid concerns over visas for their siblings. The mothers learned of their transfer in a letter dated July 29th from the IRC, which is contracted by the Department of Health to support the families. The letter, seen by The Irish Times, noted all the children's medical needs had been transferred to Letterkenny University Hospital. 'Our medical appointments were moved without asking,' the mothers said in a statement. 'We are being told to leave on a specific date, by a specific bus, or we risk losing access to basic services. This feels painfully familiar. This feels like Gaza again.' Being told to relocate 'with one week's notice feels like an eviction, a forced relocation and is very traumatic considering what happened to us in Gaza'. [ 'But Ireland loves us,' the children said. They were not the only ones confused Opens in new window ] 'After eight months of fragile stability in Dublin – months of healing, hospital appointments, and starting over – we have been ordered to move.' This 'forced relocation will only deepen our children's psychological pain', they said. A statement from the IRC said the medical team at Children's Health Ireland had determined, following careful medical assessment, that the six families were in a 'stable medical situation' and could safely transfer their care to a regional health centre 'in line with the Gaza medevac medical treatment plan'. The families of children who require ongoing specialist treatment will remain in Dublin, it said. Volunteers working with the women have recommended they be moved to a housing unit in Kilkenny which has been assessed by the IRC. It is understood, however, that housing is not available until October. 'We are single mothers without the support of husbands or extended family, which makes moving to a distant location for more difficult and distressing,' the mothers said. [ Israel has 'no choice' but to attack Gaza City, says Netanyahu, as hostage families call strike Opens in new window ] A separate letter sent to TDs and local councillors by volunteers working with the women said building a local South Dublin support network since the group's arrival had required 'energy, resources and trust building'. 'These families are dealing with prolonged grief, ongoing trauma, anxiety and depression having lost children, spouses and extended violence in Gaza,' the volunteers wrote. 'The evacuees' psychological security has been greatly impacted upon hearing of another forced relocation.' Those transferring to Letterkenny will have 'full access to appropriate local medical and mental health services' and the IRC will arrange private transport for any specialist appointments in Dublin, according to the statement. The families will move into own-door accommodation on a secure campus where they can 'stay together, feel part of a community, and have easy access to essential services', it said. The IRC has engaged with the local Letterkenny integration team, community groups, schools and creche providers and Arabic-speaking caseworkers will provide 'dedicated, wraparound support'.
Irish Independent
01-08-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Wicklow salon Home of Hair expands in Greystones
Susan plans to rebrand both salons under the Home of Hair name 'uniting them through one powerful, purpose-led identity'. Established in 2017, Susan Collins Home of Hair has been a staple in the Greystones community. It offers a range of services, including haircuts, colouring, styling, and treatments, all using environmentally friendly products. In addition to prioritising sustainable practices within the salon, she actively participates in community initiatives and supports local charities. In 2022, she led a fundraising drive in Greystones, rallying other firms to bring in €12,200 for the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Appeal. 70 local businesses donated prizes to the monster raffle, which received an amazing response from the community. Susan's salon became the first in the EU to achieve B Corp certification, a recognition reserved for businesses that meet the highest standards of social and environmental impact. B-Corp certification is a prestigious recognition awarded to companies that meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. By obtaining this status, Susan joined a global community of businesses dedicated to using their platform to drive positive change. At Home of Hair, people and planet come first. That means flexible work, ethical choices, low-waste salons, and a team culture that prioritises joy, mental wellbeing, and mutual respect. Her team of colourists and stylists use Davines products — a sustainable, cruelty-free haircare brand — and the salon supports other local small businesses, including wellness brand LaLuna Goodness. The salon invests in recycling salon waste. Items such as hair, used foil and colour tubes, excess colour and bleach, plastics and cups, are sent to experts for recycling and reuse. The towels from Easy Dry are Irish-owned, sustainable, biodegradable, disposable, and vegan, while the salon partners with small-scale coffee farmers and prioritises buying coffee from importers that protect farming communities and soil health. 'We're not just growing in size — we're deepening our impact,' said Susan. 'This rebrand is about bringing everything we stand for into every corner of the business — more space, more support for our team, and more opportunities to model what a better salon culture can look like.'
Irish Independent
31-07-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Late Wicklow man Dermot Cranny was courageous hero of Irish Red Cross
Serving on the central council and central unit control of the Irish Red Cross for years, Kilmacanogue resident Dermot was a founding member of the national training committee, introducing an instructor training programme in the 80s that still runs today. Under Dermot's leadership, membership in Wicklow grew to 250 across 12 units/branches, with the Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue team. Training and development were Dermot's lifeblood and were recognised internationally. Before departing Ireland to serve with the UN and ILO as an expert in training and development, Dermot worked in AnCo, the Industrial Training Authority, where he developed a national industrial first aid competition for each AnCo centre. Under Dermot, Wicklow won seven All-Ireland competitions. One of Dermot's proudest moments came when the National Society recognised an act of bravery that saw Dermot and his colleagues in the Irish Red Cross Bray branch called to assist gardaí in a search for a car with two occupants that plunged into the River Dargle on the Dublin to Wexford Road on December 13, 1965. On a stormy night, and with the river flooded, qualified Irish Red Cross Water Safety instructor Dermot entered the icy waters in his pyjamas with a rope tied around his waist. Despite his best efforts, the car couldn't be located until the following day. On July 30, 2010, Tony Lawlor, acting chairman of the Red Cross, said Dermot's courage and commitment to the Irish Red Cross and helping others over the past 50 years were a wonderful example to every principle the Irish Red Cross stands for, including humanity, caring, commitment and voluntary service. Tony presented Dermot with the organisation's Medal of Honour and his 50 years' service medal at a function in the National Art Gallery. Dermot was a devoted husband of the late Martha (née Dempsey) and Ann (née McDonnell), a beloved father of Mairead, and brother to Alan, his Red Cross comrades and his neighbours. Both of Dermot's wives were also members of the Irish Red Cross. Ann was a registered psychiatric nurse and was a nurse manager at Connolly Hospital until her retirement. An active member of the Bray branch, Ann was involved in caring for the Northern Ireland refugees in Gormanstown, Glen of Imaal army camps and Fatima House, and was a major driving force in introducing the IRC Home Nursing course. ADVERTISEMENT Locally, Ann helped develop a training programme, 'The Field Hospital', on how to set up an emergency field hospital, which ran at the annual Civil Defence camp in Coolmoney, Glen of Imaal. This programme became a reality in Arklow in 1982 during the Big Snow. Ann passed away on December 23, 2024. Dermot's family wish to thank all Dermot's Red Cross colleagues and friends from the surrounding counties who provided the guard of honour and attended the funeral home.
