Government 'setting aside' use of big Laois Ukraine hub in Stradbally

The use of purposes-built cabins in Stradbally to provide temporary homes for Ukrainians fleeing the war waged by Russia looks to be coming to an end but the future use of the facilities has not been outlined.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth issued a statement after it emerged that just 30 people are residing in the Laois facility which can house some 950 refugees from the war. 

The initial contract to house hundreds of Ukrainians temporarily on the site in tents was signed just before the 2023 Electric Picnic with Thomas Cosby for six weeks. When this expired, the Department reached a new deal with Mr Cosby to install cabins on the site to be used up to next summer for Ukrainians. It had not been expected that a new contract would be signed.

The Department confirmed to the Leinster Express Laois Live in December that the cabins were not occupied until December 11. It said at the time that it was designed to house up to 950 refugees. The Department said it would manage the arrival of refugees for the duration of the 32-week contract.

The Department outlined last November details of the winter 'emergency accommodation facility'. 

“This winter-ready accommodation on Stradbally estate consists of own-door, en-suite,  heated and insulated cabins, enclosed within large marquee-type structures that are also heated, containing all ancillary facilities. The overall site will be surrounded by secure fencing,” it said.

It now appears that the purpose-built facilty will not be used in the longer term according to a statement issued to the Leinster Express / Laois Live on Friday, February 23.

"As part of Government policy, a move to a more sustainable accommodation strategy is underway in relation to people fleeing the war in Ukraine (Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, BOTPs), through the use of Designated Accommodation Centres, where people fleeing the war in Ukraine will be accommodated for a maximum of 90 days.

"As part of the implementation phase of this policy, the Department is currently in the process of setting aside larger scale accommodation centres (Stradbally, Co. Laois and Ballyogan, Co. Dublin) for new BOTP arrivals. This new approach will be implemented following passage of the relevant legislation," it said.

The Department declined to confirm how many Ukrainians are residing there at present or if it has ever been used to capacity.

It also declined to say if there plans to use it for international protection applications nor would it make clear if the agreement with the property owner allows for use other than Ukrainian refugees. The Department would not state either how much has been spent to date on the facility.

Independent local election candidate in Laois, Pauline Flanagan had earlier expressed shock and frustration at finding out that over 800 beds are empty at a refugee site.

She said only approximately 30 refugees are on the site at this time.

 "This is absolutely shocking. I think it is disgraceful the way monies are being mismanaged by the Department of Integration.  How much is this facility that is essentially not being used, costing us, the taxpayer?

I was lucky enough to get a tour of this site about a month ago and the facilities are exceptional.  I recall thinking how delighted I was to see such a safe, well-run, secure environment for refugees.  All bedrooms have own-door, en-suites with heated and insulated cabins, enclosed within large marquee type structures that are also heated, containing all ancillary facilities," she said.

She asked: "Why are refugees being housed in much-needed tourist and local hotels throughout Ireland and why are there homeless people sleeping on the streets when there are over 800 beds EMPTY in Laois?"

The former Fianna Fáil councillor questioned spending.

"I can’t help but feel angry about the mismanagement of money when we see the likes of PATH – Portlaoise Action to Homelessness who are always appealing for sleeping blankets etc…  or the hugely successful Portlaoise Panthers who can’t get adequate funding to have proper basketball facilities in Laois. This beggars belief," she said.

Ms Flanagan is running as an Independent Local Election Candidate in the Portlaoise Municipal District.  

The accommodation facility in Stradbally has been outsourced under two contracts to a private firm called Pastures New Ltd. 

The number of people who have fled the war in Ukraine and found refuge in Laois has risen by just 65% in the past 12 months according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The CSO has published the latest data on the number of people seeking refuge in Ireland in the 12th edition of its Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland Series.

The report published on February 20 shows that there were 1,441 arrivals from Ukraine into Laois by February 4 this year.  That's up 65% on the CSO published 873 arrivals into the county as of February 12, 2023.

Nationally, there were 104,870 arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland this October which is up from 96,338 last October and 74,458 a year ago.