Ukrainian families living in Trabolgan told they will no longer be allowed make their own food

Move to fully catered meals in the East Cork holiday village has caused 'considerable concern' among residents

Cork East Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide, centre, with Ukrainian family members who had been given notice in June they would have to leave their accommodation in Trabolgan, Co Cork. Picture: David Keane

Ukrainian residents granted permission to stay in the former Trabolgan holiday village in East Cork say they will no longer be able to make their own food, instead being compelled to buy catered meals that take up their entire food allowance.

Earlier this month, it was confirmed many Trabolgan residents had been granted permission to stay. The reprieve came after the Government announced a phased wind-down of State-contracted commercial accommodation.

A spokesperson for the group still living in Trabolgan said: “On October 10, residents were informed in writing that catering would be optional and that we could use our allocated food allowance to purchase groceries and prepare our own meals.

“All residents chose self-catering, signed the relevant forms and relied on this arrangement when purchasing food.” 

However, on October 14, they were informed catering would become compulsory from October 17, with advance payment required.

Trabolgan management team contacted residents, saying they had now been instructed to operate all contracts on a full-board basis, meaning providers must provide meals and snacks to all residents.

Under these new arrangements, residents are provided breakfast cereal weekly, tea and coffee monthly, and a “prepared lunch snack” and a main evening meal daily.

They said residents who had been approved to remain at Trabolgan must pay €70 per adult and €35 per child weekly for this service, which is their entire weekly food allowance.

“A refusal to pay this contribution will be considered by the department as a refusal of an offer of suitable accommodation, and you can be asked to vacate the accommodation,” management added.

The residents' spokesperson said this sudden change had caused considerable concern, particularly as residents had already spent money on groceries.

“We are particularly concerned that compulsory catering is being introduced despite the availability of fully equipped kitchens and the unanimous preference of residents to prepare their own meals.

Self-catering allows families to choose appropriate food, accommodate children’s nutritional needs, manage allergies and dietary restrictions, respect cultural preferences, and make responsible use of their limited budgets.

“We are also concerned about the proposed food provision, which reportedly includes cereal, tea and coffee, a snack instead of a full lunch, and a prepared evening meal that residents must reheat themselves."

The short notice and the reported possibility that failure to pay for catering could jeopardise residents’ accommodation raised serious concerns that require clarification, the spokesperson added.

"We understand the importance of providing appropriate support to people under temporary protection. However, we believe that arrangements should also respect residents’ dignity, autonomy and individual family needs, particularly where children are concerned.” 

The Irish Examiner contacted Trabolgan and the Department of Justice.