The Citywest transit hub has been temporarily closed to new refugees and asylum seekers, it was announced today.
The Convention Centre in Citywest, which acts as the first port of call for new arrivals, reached capacity due to overwhelming demand. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth made the decision to pause arrivals to the transit hub until numbers can reduce.
In the interim, the following will apply:
Read more: Asylum seekers claim they are being treated differently to Ukrainian arrivals
- Entry to Citywest (for both international protection applicants and Ukrainians) will be paused and kept under review
- Those arriving at the airport may 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 this is 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 who have alternative accommodation options are asked to avail of these, including pledged accommodation and to not attend Citywest presently.
A statement from the department added: "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.
"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."
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