Ukraine Response Team commended for their ‘tremendous work’ and effort

The Kilkenny Ukraine Team have been commended for their ‘tremendous work’ by Cathaoirleach, Councillor Pat Fitzpatrick.

The Cathaoirleach made his comments during a meeting of Kilkenny County Council where Acting Director of Services, Fiona Deegan, who oversees the management of displaced Ukrainian persons in Kilkenny was making a presentation urging people who own vacant properties to take part in the Offer a Home, Offer Hope campaign.

The government campaign aims to provide accommodation to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Ms Deegan said that 25 properties had been pledged to date. A separate programme is being run by the Irish Red Cross seeking pledges of spare rooms or accommodation that would be shared with the owner or others.

Callan priest leads efforts to build a brighter future for world’s most impoverished nation

According to figures from the presentation there are 1,252 Ukrainians living in Kilkenny with 900 living in the Kilkenny City Municipal Area, 160 in the Castlecomer Municipal Area, 140 in the Callan/Thomastown Municipal Area and 50 in the Piltown Municipal Area.

Approximately 10% of the Ukrainian community live in accommodation at the St John of God Convent in Kilkenny City and at The Friary in Knocktopher and then are moved on to pledged properties and homes.
Some 136 people have been placed in homes which were pledged, a further 854 people are living in 15 commercial premises while a further 132 people are living in private arrangements.

Ms Deegan explained to the members that the Offer a Home, Offer Hope campaign is managed by the local authorities and is for vacant homes, apartments and holiday homes.

“We are looking for properties that are currently unoccupied and could provide accommodation to those fleeing war in Ukraine,” she said adding that while rent is not payable owners will receive a tax-free payment of €800 per month.

“This Government Recognition Payment Scheme is conditional on an agreement of six months. You offer your property through the website or by contacting the local authority and you will be contacted within five days to confirm some details, discuss the process with you and answer any queries you may have. If you are happy to proceed, and your property is suitable, the local authority will arrange to assess the property within two weeks,” she added.

The Cathaoirleach said that he wanted to commend the Ukraine Response Team on ‘a great team effort’ and on the ‘tremendous work being done’.

Cllr Andrew Mc Guinness said that it was very important to thank Fiona Deegan for the ‘huge amount of work’ she has done.
“This is a challenge that no one thought they would be dealing with,” he said.

Cllr Eugene McGuinness asked ‘if the systems are stress tested to see how many people we can take so the system doesn’t break’.

“Government ministers have said that there is no limit. While I agree in the taking in of refugees there has to be a number. I agree 100% in the taking in of refugees, they are coming from a war-torn country but the systems need to be stress tested,” he added.

Cllr Deirdre Cullen remarked that she would like to ‘acknowledge the huge and positive contribution that Ukrainians are making to the community and to our schools’.

Acting Director of Services, Fiona Deegan said that there is ‘a very clear process in place’. In relation to the stress testing of systems Ms Deegan said that schools in the city are under pressure and that the local authority is now looking at accommodation outside the city.

“We want to thank people of Kilkenny for their huge support. We have over 480 people in English classes through the ETB. It is important for people to have fluent English to get access to the workplace,” she said, adding that now there are 208 Ukrainian people registered with employers in Kilkenny.

For more email offerahome@kilkennycoco.ie