Conference spaces, halls and other available facilities at sporting venues including Páirc Uí Chaoimh could be brought into service for temporary accommodation as the Government struggles to find suitable places for Ukrainian refugees.
Per Cork Beo, the Department of Sport has confirmed that it has contacted sporting bodies on a national and regional level across Ireland to see if available space can be used, following the confirmation that a large number of refugees were being housed on camp beds in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. They have now been moved to more suitable accommodation.
However, the GAA, IRFU and Sport Ireland are amongst the organisations which have now been asked to see if they can find more space for temporary accommodation. Some 3,500 refugees are currently being housed in student accommodation - but most of these will have to be moved on as students begin to return to their colleges in September. It's understood the response from the GAA and other bodies has been positive and proactive.
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Arrivals from Ukraine and those already in the country - overwhelmingly women and children as embattled Ukraine requires men of military age to serve in their defence forces - are being asked to take up pledges of accomodation with Irish families as around 3,000 people are now accommodated in this way.
The Government is hoping to use more tourist accommodation - hotels, B&Bs and even holiday homes - as the visitor season winds down towards the end of August.
The Department of Sport said of their contacts with the GAA, IRFU and other bodies: "The organisations responded positively to the request and any accommodation offers arising were the subject of direct engagement by the department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with the sports organisations."
Over 43,000 Ukrainian people have arrived in Ireland so far and it is estimated that there could be around 50,000 in Ireland by the middle of August as the war in their country drags on. The State is directly providing accommodation for over 32,000 - or around 75% of those already here.
From this number - some 29,000 are in serviced accommodation such as hotels, while another 1,134 are in emergency accommodation, 2,700 people are in pledged accommodation.
Authorities are also seeking to establish a second major transit hub as Citywest in Dublin is under continuing pressure as a temporary reception facility. The Government may look to find smaller centres in Munster and Connacht to take pressure off the Dublin area.
The Irish Red Cross continues to operate a special register site for those who can offer empty homes, rooms or other accommodation for refugees from Ukraine and elsewhere and you can find that here.
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