Plans to resettle Ukrainian refugees in Kerry to provide housing for international asylum seekers have been put on hold following the intervention of Education Minister Norma Foley.
Community leaders and politicians in Kerry expressed great concern about the proposed resettlement of the 75 refugees from Ukraine from Caher Sidbin, where some of them had been based for several months, reports Independent.
The move should start on Tuesday.
Many of the Ukrainian refugees involved are part of family groups with children who have started education in local schools.
Most Ukrainians felt at home in Cahersiveen region and were very upset at having to leave their Irish friends.
The planned resettlement of the refugees – many of whom are to be moved to the Tralee area – has excited the local community, which has been working hard to help Ukrainians escape the Russian invasion of their homeland.
The proposed move has now been put on hold pending further consultation following contacts between the Education Secretary and Kerry TD Norma Foley with her fellow Integration Secretary Roderic O’Gorman, reports Independent.
Ms Foley contacted her fellow minister following numerous submissions from concerned individuals and groups in Kerry.
A spokesman for Ms Foley confirmed that she had been given assurances that the proposed move was pending further consultation.
“Minister Foley has brought the matter to the direct attention of Minister O’Gorman. Minister O’Gorman has confirmed that no residents will be moved on Tuesday as previously suggested,” a spokesperson said, reports Independent.
Councillor Cahill said that the refugees from Ukraine have settled in Cahersiveen and that the locals have given them a warm welcome.
He asked why, after starting to rebuild their lives in one part of Ireland, these families should suddenly be moved to a completely different community.
Ireland currently shelters around 75,000 Ukrainian citizens who fled the Russian attack on their country, reports Independent.
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