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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Michelle Cullen

Citywest Transit Hub for asylum seekers and Ukrainian refugees 'closed' as full capacity reached

The Citywest Transit Hub, which provides accommodation for asylum seekers and Ukranian refugees, has reached capacity in recent weeks.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said it is currently accommodating over 58,000 people.

Of these 58,000 people, 42,000 are Ukrainian and 16,000 are from International Protection.

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The figure compares with just 7,250 people in accommodation during this time last year.

In the interests of the welfare of those presently at Citywest awaiting accommodation, a decision has now been taken to pause arrivals to the transit hub until numbers can reduce.

As a result, entry to Citywest for both IP and Ukrainians has now been paused and is being kept under review.

Those arriving at the airport may also have to wait there if arriving overnight, where supports will be provided to them by an NGO.

Should capacity become available, entry to Citywest will be prioritised for families and those with vulnerabilities where possible.

For those arriving into the country as IP applicants or claiming Temporary Protection, if accommodation is not immediately available for them, communications with them will continue and supports will be offered through NGOs where possible.

All those with alternative accommodation options are asked to avail of these, including pledged accommodation, and not to attend Citywest.

In a statement, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said: “The Department is working urgently across Government and with agencies, NGOs and local authorities to bring new accommodation on board so that the State’s humanitarian responsibilities can be met to both IPs and those from Ukraine. Officials from the Department also briefed the Ukrainian Embassy today.

“However, access to suitable accommodation is severely constrained. Current projections indicate a shortfall of 15,000 beds by December as the number of Ukrainians and IP applicants arriving is expected to remain at elevated levels.

“To date, the Department has contracted approximately 25% of hotel beds in Ireland, alongside hostels, guest houses, pledged accommodation, sports stadiums, scout facilities, tented accommodation and modular units. It continues to work to explore all suitable offers as it has done since March 2022.”

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