240 Ukrainians told to leave twelve Galway accommodation centres
Ukrainian refugees living at 12 Galway centres were told last week that they must find private accommodation by the end of next January
A total of 240 Ukrainian refugees living in 12 state-supported accommodation centres across Galway have been informed that they must vacate and make alternative arrangements by the end of next January.
They were told last Thursday that they would be required to leave the centres in three months as the Government phases out the provision of free accommodation to all Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs).
Residents with specific needs were invited to apply to be accommodated in a state-supported centre elsewhere. Otherwise, they will have to source private accommodation independently.
The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration is working with the Irish Red Cross and the International Organisation for Migration to provide a dedicated information service for affected individuals.
Several of the accommodation centres are located in Connemara. These include Park Lodge Cottages and Park Lodge Hotel in Spiddal, where a total of 68 of the affected residents are accommodated.
Some 13 of the residents are currently living at the Connemara Coast Hotel, and another 19 are located at Ostán an Dóilín in Carraroe.
A total of 33 Ukrainian residents at Tuam Convent were also informed yesterday that they would have to find alternative accommodation by January 31, 2027, while 29 at Rockbarton House Hotel in Salthill received the same message.
Other affected centres include Ashford Manor on College Road, Cloonacauneen Castle, Mountain View in Dunmore, and the Merrion Townhouse in Salthill, according to departmental correspondence seen by the Connacht Tribune.
Affected residents with children attending school in Galway have been told to contact their Regional Education and Language Team (REALT) if they need help finding a place in another school.
Families have been encouraged by the department to enroll their children as soon as they know the location of their new accommodation, and have been advised that schools are required to admit all applicants except where there are issues with capacity.
Information is currently being provided to residents of the 12 centres in Russian and Ukrainian via Zoom presentations.
The Government began phasing out the provision of accommodation to all BOTPs last June.