Hundreds of Ukrainians living at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin have been told they must leave by September due to a change in Government policy around how the State provides accommodation for people affected by the war.
The letter says accommodation will no longer be provided to Ukrainians who have temporary protection in Ireland and who arrived into the country before March 2024.
They have been told to leave by Friday 18 September and to make alternative accommodation arrangements before then.
The letter, dated last Monday, says they can apply for accommodation at a State supported accommodation centre, if they have specific needs. They must provide details and supporting documentation in order to apply for this. The closing date for such applications is 17 July.
The alternative State accommodation being offered is across four sites in counties Offaly, Louth and at two sites in Co Kildare.
Residents say they have concerns that there is too little time to secure private accommodation and that this will be difficult due to the ongoing housing shortage.
They say their greatest concern is for those who will struggle to find accommodation independently, including the most vulnerable who have disabilities and or health conditions, older people, single mothers and working parents with school-age children.
In a statement, a group of residents said: “Over the past four years, Ukrainians who fled Russia’s war against Ukraine have rebuilt their lives in Ireland. They have found jobs, enrolled their children in schools, established medical care, and become part of their local communities. We are deeply grateful to Ireland for the safety and support it has provided to our families.
“Our protest is not against Ireland. It is a call for a fair, humane and individualised approach to relocation, ensuring that decisions take proper account of people’s health, disabilities, medical treatment, education, employment and other essential circumstances.”
In a statement published on Facebook, local Independent Councillor Linda de Courcy said: “It is also hard on the children who have been living there since 2022, going to school and making friends and on the local children who will have made friends with the Ukrainian children.”
The group of residents says one of the facilities in Co Kildare is a converted stable with shared sanitary facilities, which they say would not be suitable for medically vulnerable people or families with children.
Those living in these Designated Accommodation Centres where meals and utilities are provided will no longer qualify for certain social welfare benefits.
They will be moved to the weekly Beneficiary of Temporary Protection payments of €38.80 for each adult and €29.80 for each child.
Otherwise current residents must source accommodation directly themselves in the private rental sector.
The letter they received says information about rental supports can be provided by their local Intreo office.
Residents with children were told that if they need to switch schools for their children, they should seek information from their Regional Education and Language Team. They must also inform their current school of any change of address.
The letter says on site information will be provided at Citywest.
The Department of Justice is also working with the Irish Red Cross and the International Organization for Migration to provide online information sessions in Ukrainian and Russian.