Coveney: Government 'caught out' by Ukrainian refugee numbers this weekend

Minister Simon Coveney TD said on RTÉ Radio the State has in a relatively short number of months accommodated almost 60,000 Ukrainians in people's homes, and in 22% of the hotel rooms across the country.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said the Government was “somewhat caught out” by the large numbers of Ukrainian refugees coming to Ireland this weekend.

Explaining why the Government was forced to turn away 43 refugees this weekend due to a lack of beds, Mr Coveney said the system is under huge pressure but what happened is “not acceptable.”