Ukrainian refugees have been advised not to come to Ireland this Christmas as the Government shuts down its Citywest facility for the festive period.
Some 66,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Ireland since the war broke out in February.
The State is now accommodating more than 50,000 people from Ukraine, as well as 18,000 International Protection applicants.
The Department of Integration has now advised that the Citywest Transit Hub will be closed between Christmas Eve and December 27 for new arrivals.
They will instead be accommodated at local authority sites.
However, people will be asked not to travel to Ireland this Christmas.
Minister Roderic O’Gorman and the Ukrainian Ambassador, Larysa Gerasko, agreed this week that people in Ukraine who are currently in a safe location should be encouraged to stay where they are.
“The Department would ask Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and International Protection applicants who are currently in situations of safety not to travel to Ireland, if possible, over the next fortnight and to defer making travel plans to come to Ireland until the New Year,” a spokesperson said.
The Department also advised that securing additional accommodation will remain challenging into the new year.
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