Ukrainian refugees moved from Killarney
Deputy Griffin condemned the planned 48-hour relocation of Ukrainians from Killarney to Mayo and said families had settled locally. The Minister said the move was driven by accommodation pressure from arrivals and protection applicants, and the Deputy urged him to reverse it.
Last night, the Mayor of Killarney, Councillor Niall Kelleher, and I met with a number of Ukrainian refugees and stakeholders from the community in Killarney on the outrageous proposal to relocate 135 Ukrainian refugees, mainly women and children, from Killarney to Westport, County Mayo, with 48 hours' notice. These people have been living in Killarney for the past seven months and have put down roots. The children have started school, while the women are working in local businesses and have been set up with their local GPs. Now, with 48 hours' notice, they are being uprooted and sent to Mayo. It is completely unacceptable.
I call on the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, to make the proper decision. This is not humane. If we are treating this emergency with a humanitarian response, there has to be humanity at the centre of it.
Humanity has to be at the centre of this. I ask the Minister to look at the alternative accommodation that is available in Killarney, if these people must be moved, and to avoid the appalling situation that is facing them.
Comment on this
I recognise that moving these 112 Ukrainians will have an impact on families and individuals. The reason for the move is the pressure on the State's measures to meet the accommodation needs of Ukrainian displaced persons and international protection applicants. The number of Ukrainians arriving in the country has doubled in the past month as a consequence of renewed attacks on civilian targets. International protection applicant numbers remain high. We continue to have a real difficulty in sourcing accommodation for international protection applicants. Already, that lack of accommodation led to a situation where we had to turn international protection applicants away for a number of days. It is to try and avoid situations like that recurring that we have to take up all available accommodation for international protection where we can locate it. That is the case in Killarney. Asking people to move will have an impact on them, I absolutely accept that, but, fundamentally, my Department has to be in the position to provide accommodation and meals for all applicants, Ukrainians and international protection applicants alike. That is what we are seeking to do.
Comment on this
The Minister can reverse this. It is in his hands to reverse it.