73 Ukrainian refugees still live in tents at Columb Barracks in Westmeath, reports RTE.
Last weekend, the last Ukrainian refugees were evacuated from a tent camp where families had been staying overnight in Stradbally, Co. Laois before heated cabins were installed on the property.
According to data provided by the Department of Integration, as of Wednesday, October 18, there were 73 single Ukrainian adults and 78 single adult asylum seekers in tents at the Mullingar centre.
Within the next week, 62 Ukrainian families will move into modular apartments located in the investment area.
20 of the 62 four-bedroom apartments have already been built, reports RTE.
According to the ministry, another 30 will be completed “over the course of the next 3-4 weeks”, and the remaining 12 – in December.
People staying in tents at Columbus Barracks will not be among those moving into the modular units, and none of the entire units have been occupied.
“There is ongoing work on-site in relation to those units and to provide the necessary infrastructure for refuse, WiFi and other services. The Department is currently working with the International Organisation for Migration to identify the (Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection) BOTP families who will be allocated to the units,” a spokesperson said, reports RTE.
This needs to be carefully considered, based on family composition, current location, etc. This work will be completed shortly. In addition, the Department is also working with the approved housing body, Tuath, with a view to the future management of the units once occupied,” the spokesperson said, reports RTE.
Tents at the site in Stradbally, Co. Laois, are currently empty, but a spokesman confirmed they were being held “in case of shortages becoming apparent between now and when the cabins begin to be delivered in early November”, reports RTE.
From next month, hundreds of newly arrived Ukrainian families will be accommodated in two new facilities, one in Stradbally and the other at Glendulph House in Co. Wicklow, reports RTE.
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