A total of 3,000 Ukrainian refugees living in student accommodation have been told they "must leave" by the end of the month.
The families are being told to leave so they can accommodate students during the new academic year. But the Ukrainian people have not been told where they will be housed next leading to growing concerns.
There are currently a total of 4,270 people living in student accommodation, 3,000 of whom will be expected to move out by August end, according to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth. A spokesperson told RTE: "3,000 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTP) must leave student accommodation by the end of August.
Read more: Ukrainian host families can now apply for a €400 accommodation payment
"The Department continues to work with accommodation providers to secure additional accommodation generally over the summer months and after, taking into account provision that may expire at the end of the summer."
An expert said moving children from one accommodation to another can make it difficult for them to settle and make friends. Julie Ahern, legal policy and services director with the Children's Rights Alliance added that what refugee children really want is to feel safe and have an opportunity to make friends and settle.
Ahern said while the Government has done a 'morally great thing' by taking in many Ukrainian refugees who wanted to come to Ireland, they need to focus on more permanent solutions. "We have heard from the Department of An Taoiseach that they are looking at modular housing, and this needs to be progressed as a priority," she said.
Between 400 and 600 Ukrainian people are currently being accommodated on the Maynooth University campus and hundreds more are expected to move in over the next few weeks.
Gemma Irvine, Vice President for Equality and Diversity at Maynooth University said the university expects to have a total of 840 refugees staying with them for the month of August.
Read next:
- Ireland needs to accommodate more refugees despite bed concerns - Varadkar
Ukrainian families to be moved into tents at Meath military camp
Ukrainian refugees sleeping at Dublin Airport as asylum system hits capacity
Ukrainian refugees to be moved out of student accommodation by September
Stark reality of war in Ukraine brought to life at Dublin photo exhibition
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