Ten Ukrainian refugees who arrived in Ireland yesterday have been told there is no accommodation for them, bringing the total number to 44 this week.
Yesterday it had been revealed that 33 refugees had been told there was no accommodation for them, but this afternoon the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) confirmed that “a further ten people, all single males, were informed that no accommodation was available and asked to provide contact details for when it does become available.”
The refugees, all single men, were first processed and given temporary protection status at the Citywest transit hub but were told there was no accommodation available for them and that they would be contacted when beds became available.
A number of Ukrainian migrants claimed to have spent Friday night sleeping in Dublin Airport after being turned away by Citywest, according to a report from RTÉ News.
It's also believed that on Saturday morning, the Capuchin Day Center provided food for over a dozen Ukrainian refugees.
Martin Heydon, a minister of state for the department of agriculture, food, and the marine, responded yesterday by calling it "disappointing" that Ireland is now unable to accommodate all of those seeking asylum, but he added that work is already starting on a temporary emergency solution.
Minister Heydon stated,
My understanding is 33 male Ukrainians were not able to be accommodated last night. And that's a really disappointing place for us to be in
Their contact information was obtained, and they were connected to NGOs.
I'm not sure of the specifics, but starting on Monday, Dublin Airport will offer overnight accommodations since people take buses to Citywest around three or four in the morning.
"We need to be upfront and honest with anyone considering travelling from abroad; because to our current predicament, we are unable to promise every visitor a bed.
We need to be open and truthful about it as we step up our efforts to provide both the short-term emergency response and those medium-term remedies.
The construction of a temporary overnight lodging facility for asylum seekers is currently under way at Dublin Airport, and it is anticipated that the facility will be ready tomorrow.
The Department of Children stated on Friday that it didn't think any migrants would have to spend the night in the airport.
"At this time, nobody is expected to need to spend the weekend at the airport. Currently, DCEDIY and DAA are collaborating to set up a temporary facility. According to a representative, this should be accessible early the next week.
According to current forecasts, there will be a shortage of 15,000 beds by December as the number of Ukrainians and applicants for international protection is anticipated to remain at "elevated levels," they continued, adding that access to "appropriate lodging is severely constricted."
In the seven days leading up to October 20, 1,324 Ukrainians received temporary protection, according to the Department of Justice.
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