More than 62,000 Ukrainians have sought refuge in Ireland since the start of the Russian war of aggression, the most recent CSO stats reveal.
1,100 arrived the previous week alone, according to the number of Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) issued to Ukrainians under the Temporary Protection Directive. A third of the total number of refugees are children and teenagers.
Many of the newly arrived Ukrainians attend employment support events where it was revealed that despite the majority of them having a bachelor’s degree or higher, the language barrier made it difficult for many to find a job. More than 8,000 have now enrolled in further education and English courses.
Read more: 400 Ukrainian refugees told they have to move out of Dublin hotel after six-month stay
Children's Minister Roderic O’Gorman who is responsible for overseeing the State’s response to accommodation for Ukrainians said recently that there has been a reduction in the number of Ukrainians arriving in Ireland in the last two weeks. This decrease comes after the Ukrainian embassy highlighted the lack of available accommodation to the Ukrainian authorities, Mr O’Gorman has said according to the Irish Examiner.
Despite that, there remains a "real pressure" on the provision of accommodation. While some hotels will return to their previous business from next year, the Government will be working with hotels to elongate contracts to accommodate Ukrainians. Mr O’Gorman also said the delivery of vacant and modular homes must commence "at a pace", according to RTE.
The first modular homes will be available in January, he expects, with up to 250 made available early in the New Year. "Then another 250 probably by February/March and further across the year, " he added.
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