Refugees face move to more remote centres with no pets restrictions
As relocation looms they’re calling for more time as they face displacement
A GROUP of over 50 Ukrainian refugees living in student accommodation in Limerick city have been informed that they will be moved into hotels and different accommodation on March 4.
The refugees who are currently living in Westbourne Student Accommodation received a letter from the Department of Integration, telling them that they will be relocated to various places across the county including Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, The Pier Hotel, Bruff Accommodation and Stradbally North Castleconnell.
They had received a first letter, earlier this month, which stated they would have to be moved with 48 hours’ notice and wouldn't be able to bring pets.
Anastasiia Lapko (29) who has been living in Limerick for over two years was informed that she will be moved to Bruff. She is studying a film course in the Limerick College of Further Education and also works with Dance Limerick.
The Ukrainian native along with Westbourne residents is asking the Department to provide them with clear deadlines, alternative options, or housing where pets are allowed. Ms Lapko is concerned as the accommodation they are being offered doesn't allow pets and many of the Ukrainian refugees including Ms Lapko have pets. She lives with her cat, Martin, and is worried that he will end up in a cage somewhere if this issue isn't resolved.
Ms Lapko said the current situation is “chaotic” and that they've appealed to the department to have their stay at their current accommodation extended until June to give them sufficient time to secure other accommodation in Limerick. “They said that we have to look for something on the ARP program (Accommodation Recognition Programme) but no one knows what is going to happen with this programme.
“Many people have found work and education, but do not yet have the opportunity to rent something. In our case, many people have animals and the new resettlement conditions do not allow them to keep pets but the Department says that this is not their issue,” added Ms Lapko.
“There are also special cases where people have to take care of elderly people who are bedridden and have a large family, people who study or work full-time cannot leave Limerick, because then they will lose working hours, or have PTSD and cannot live with others.”
The full-time student is also worried about her financial situation. “I get €230 per week now but I heard that everyone, job seekers, and disabled people and students will be changed to €32 per week.”
Ms Lapko explained that if she has to move to Bruff she will have to commute to Limerick city for her studies. “I have no money just to pay for the bus so I have no idea what to do.” She said the group hasn’t been given enough time to look for something under the ARP or to privately rent and that no one knows whether the programme will be continuing.
“We're still trying to reach the department to give us more time because we understand that from September, it will be rented out to students. We totally understand this, but we need more time to find something else.” Ms Lapko added that the owner of the accommodation centre asked that the refugees be allowed stay until the summer but this request was refused.
The Limerick-based student said the majority of Irish people are supporting Ukrainians. “I think it's a very important question what's going on with the Ukrainian refugees right now all over Ireland because everyone (is) just relocated.
“This situation in Ireland right now with the Ukrainian refugees is very confusing because people feel like it would be better for them to go back to Ukraine... near the front line than trying to reach the department.”
She feels that the Department of Integration wants them to return home. “A lot of people don't have a place to return because they just lost them. A lot of people from Mariupol, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, and Kherson ... are under shelling every day.”