KILDARE: 378 displaced Ukrainians set for Punchestown

A total of 378 beds will be set up in Punchestown Event Centre for Ukrainian nationals who have been displaced by Russia’s military invasion of their home country.

According to a briefing document from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Ukrainians citizens will be accommodated at the Event Centre from November onwards as part of a two-year contract.

The Department said that mainly women and children will be housed in 78 pods which will each fit two bedrooms.

There will be a maximum of three people in each room.

Punchestown Racecourse, which owns the Event Centre, is liaising with local residents on the issue.

Punchestown CEO Conor O'Neill said that Punchestown is fully committed to engaging with the local community and keeping people fully informed at all stages.

He explained: "It is our objective from the outset to implement a facility to the very highest possible standards that provides a welcome, safe, secure and comfortable environment."

Mr O'Neill added: "The facility will be fully managed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year both internally and externally.

"There will also be a regular bus service provided to Naas seven days a week for all occupants to ensure that there will be no people walking the roads locally."

According to a briefing document, the Department said it will manage the arrival of people into the Event Centre.

It also says that the residency will be entirely made up of citizens from Ukraine.

The profile of arrivals from the war in Ukraine to date is mainly women and children.

Officials said the Ukrainians will be provided with full medical checks, medical cards and PPS numbers at Citywest before transport to their accommodation. They are then eligible to seek work.

Regarding the length of time the citizens will be situated at the Event Centre, the document says: "It is currently envisaged that residents can expect to stay for a number of weeks and then be moved to more suitable accommodation, though this will depend on suitable longer-term accommodation being available."

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FACILITIES

As for the 78 pods, each one will consist of two bedrooms, with a maximum of three people in each room (the documents says that there are some bigger family style pods that have a single bed and a bunk bed in the room) with a small living area.

The toilet, shower and bathroom areas are in a communal space, with private cubicles.

There will also be a designated dining area which will operate on a staggered basis, with times allocated to avoid over-crowding.

There will also be tables outside as well, along with play areas for children.

The laundry facilities are communal and located within the centre. Catering will also be supplied at the site.

The facility is fully fire safety compliant. It will be staffed with a rostered team to include the facility manager, duty managers, night managers, security teams, food service staff and cleaners.

Security personnel will be on-site 24/7, 365 days a year and the manager on duty will be contactable at all times.