The Department of Integration claims its contract with a Shannon property housing Ukrainian refugees has been terminated due to concerns arising from a site visit.
Ukrainians living in Phoenix House in the Shannon were served with a letter from International Protection Accommodation Services on Monday, outlining a decision to relocate them to Lisdoonvarna before the end of the month.
Since shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine two years ago, up to 100 refugees have been residing in Phoenix House, formerly the Shannon Development Building, on the site of the Shannon Town Centre.
This week, they’ve been informed by IPAS that they’ll be moved to Lisdoonvarna on June 24th.
With many having secured jobs and enrolled their children in schools locally, Cathaoirleach of the Shannon Municipal District Donna McGettigan of Sinn Féin claims the decision shows a lack of consideration for all parties.
Integration Minister Roderick O’Gorman claims the contract for the property has been terminated “due to concerns raised following a site visit by the Ukraine Compliance team, along with QTS, an independent inspection company hired by the Department, and the Department of Social Protection”.
Lisdoonvarna Fine Gael Councillor Joe Garrihy believes people in his area are at their wit’s end due to the consistent lack of consultation on refugees coming into their area.
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The Department of Integration claims “every effort has been made” to allow Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, or BOTPs, in Clare to remain “as local as possible” but this has proved difficult because of “very few vacancies in the area due to a significant number of move”.
The Department also says BOTPs are “free to make their own arrangements for accommodation, or to reach out to the Red Cross or the Local Authority to avail of pledged or offer a home properties”.
Addressing the Taoiseach in the Dáil, Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe says taking refugees out of a community after they’ve integrated and gained employment defies logic.
