Turning away Ukrainian refugees seeking accommodation in Ireland is “not an option”, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has insisted.
However, he said that the Government “needs to be honest” and admit that it does not have the capacity to accommodate all refugees seeking shelter.
It comes as the Department of Integration confirmed on Thursday that a significant increase in the number of people seeking accommodation in recent weeks has resulted in the Citywest Transit Hub reaching capacity.
Read More: Roderic O'Gorman 'can't rule out' refugees spending the night on Irish streets as Citywest hub full
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is now accommodating over 58,000 people (42,000 Ukrainian, 16,000 International Protection). This figure compares with 7,250 at this time last year.
Speaking in Waterford, Mr Varadkar insisted that the Government will not turn Ukrainian refugees away, even if there is no immediate accommodation for them.
“While there is no limit on the amount of compassion that Irish people have, there is a limit to capacity,” the Tánaiste said.
“At the moment, we're at the point where we just aren't in a position to guarantee accommodation for everyone who arrives.
“It doesn’t (meaning turning people away). That's not something that we can do.
“That's not an option for us. But we are being straight with people in that we can no longer guarantee emergency accommodation for everyone coming into the country. That's just the unfortunate reality.
“I know some people will say put a cap on arrivals. That's not possible. So long as we're a member of the European Union. It also doesn't work.”
The Tánaiste said that the Government will continue to use hotel accommodation to house people, as well as procuring old buildings and bringing them back into use.
He added that the accommodation shortage is not unique to Ireland and other European countries are “in the same boat”.
The Department of Integration has advised that the availability of suitable accommodation for refugees is “severely constrained”.
Current projections indicate a shortfall of 15,000 beds by December as the number of Ukrainians and International Protection applicants arriving is expected to remain at elevated levels.
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.
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman said that he could not guarantee that refugees would have to sleep on the streets.
An overnight facility in Dublin Airport will be used from Monday, which will facilitate late-night arrivals before they are moved to Citywest the next day.
The Gormanston facility in Meath closed earlier this month as it was not weather-proof. A number of hotel contracts are also due to expire before the end of the year.
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