Government announces locations for first five reception centres for Ukrainians 

So far, centres have been announced in Cork City, Limerick, Dublin, Laois and Kildare 

Emergency services personnel in Ukraine work at an apartment building destroyed by a Russian attack in Sumy. Picture: AP

The Government has announced the locations of the first five reception centres for Ukrainian refugees.

The centres will be spread across the country in:

• Ballyogan Road, Dublin City (capacity: 392) 
• Stradbally, Co. Laois (capacity: 950) 
• Fernbank, Limerick City (capacity: 250) 
• Punchestown, Co. Kildare (capacity: 378) 
• Gerald Griffin Street, Cork City (capacity: 107) 

The Department of Integration announced the centres on Wednesday. It said the focus of the supports in the centres will be "orientation on living and working in Ireland and the options for sourcing accommodation independently". 

The remaining centres will be announced once finalised, a statement said.

It comes as new legislation to bring into effect a revised approach to supporting new arrivals from Ukraine has been commenced. This follows the Government decision in December and the passing of the relevant legislation last week.

The department confirmed that from Thursday, anyone fleeing the war in Ukraine who registers for temporary protection and is looking for State-provided accommodation in Ireland will be accommodated for a maximum of 90 days. 

They will be provided with food, laundry, other services and integration supports in Designated Accommodation Centres.

"Standard social welfare payments will no longer be available to a person while they are resident in Designated Accommodation Centres. They will be entitled to a reduced weekly allowance of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child in respect of daily expenses, while they are resident in Designated Accommodation Centres. Entitlement to Child Benefit is not affected by these changes.

"When they leave the Designated Accommodation Centre, or if they make their own accommodation arrangements on arrival, they will be entitled to apply for standard social welfare assistance, equivalent to Irish citizens subject to meeting the eligibility conditions."

The department said the changes were needed in order to continue to meet the EU Temporary Protection Directive requirements and to "align more closely with other EU Member States".

These changes will not affect people from Ukraine who arrived in Ireland before this policy came into force and are already registered for temporary protection.

This article was updated at 11.26am to reflect the reception centres are for Ukrainian refugees.