Stradbally site to be used as accommodation centre for newly arrived Ukrainians

Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman is to meet with local representatives in Drogheda on Monday.

The Government is to use a site in Stradbally, Co Laois, as a designated accommodation centre for newly arrived Ukrainians who can only stay for 90 days.

Children will likely not attend local schools due to the short duration of their stay, officials have said.

It is also understood that the D-Hotel in Drogheda will be used as a distribution and accommodation centre for asylum seekers from Tuesday. It will not be of dual use despite the Taoiseach stating in the Dáil that this would be the best solution to allow locals to continue to use the hotel's facilities. It's understood the contract signed does not allow for this to be facilitated.

Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman is to meet with local representatives in Drogheda on Monday.

Local Laois representatives were informed today that the Stradbally site, which has capacity for almost 1,000 Ukrainians, will continue to be used until June this year after the State signed a new contract with Pastures New Ltd — who lease and operate the property.

Sources have said the site will have to be returned prior to the Electric Picnic festival in August. The department has been contacted for comment. 

Revised policy

Under the revised government policy, new arrivals from Ukraine who seek accommodation from the State will be offered a maximum of 90 days in State-supported accommodation in designated accommodation centres. 

Stradbally will be one such centre but officials have said they expect that the people will only have stays of a short duration at this accommodation as they adjust to life in Ireland and prepare to transition to independent accommodation.

The Department of Integration will manage the arrival of people into this centre. The contract with this site has been signed for a period of 32 weeks.

While resident in designated accommodation centres, weekly payments of €38.80 per adult and €29.90 per child will be paid to people in lieu of social welfare payments.

People will also have access to Child Benefit and Additional Needs Payments where they meet the relevant eligibility criteria. When Ukrainians transition out of the centres they will have full access to relevant social protection payments, subject to the usual eligibility criteria.

In a Q&A provided to local representatives, it outlined that due to the short-term nature of the accommodation facility, children will only be residents for short durations and it is likely that they will not settle their children into schools until they source independent accommodation.

However, officials have said the provider, Pastures New, can provide and facilitate various educational classes and recreational activities. It will liaise with relevant external bodies where appropriate.

The company will be employing a centre manager directly with experience in facilities management and also contracting additional assistance in this area.

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The detailed note circulated to politicians said from the start of March 985 beds will be provided for people fleeing the war in Ukraine in the Stradbally Designated Accommodation Centre.

To date, the facility has been used as emergency short-term accommodation for Ukrainians. The accommodation will be designated as an accommodation centre upon implementation of the new Government 90-day accommodation policy. The contract is for a 32-week period and will have a capacity of 985, finishing June 2024.

The accommodation on the site 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 is surrounded by secure fencing.