Update on Ukrainian refugees for Edenderry shoe factory as detailed plans emerge

Some clarity as emerged on the imminent arrival of Ukrainian refugees to Edenderry after misplaced rumours male refugees from other countries would be placed in the old shoe factory in the town.

Fine Gael councillor Noel Cribbin has had it confirmed that around 50 Ukrainian refugees will arrive in the coming weeks to be placed in the recently refurbished factory.

Clrr Cribrin said: "I have at both Edenderry Municipal Council meetings and at Offaly County Council meetings raised the issues of the proposed housing of Ukrainian refugees in Edenderry and for definite clarification as to who is coming, where they're coming from and a breakdown on the numbers of those coming.

"I looked for this in writing from Offaly Co Council who are liaising with the Dept of Intergration who run this programme so as I could pass on the response to the many who welcome these families, as I do, and to those that are hearing different stories."

He went on to share the clarity he has received: "The refugees are all coming from Ukraine with a mix of families, elderly people and single persons from Ukraine; it’s not confirmed but they are expecting 50, the accommodation at the old shoe factory" which will provide a fully equipped kitchen/dining facilities with separate recreational spaces, including TV area and children’s play area.

"The accommodation consists of 14 bedrooms of varying sizes. The building will be issued with a Fire Certificate by the builder to Offaly County Council prior to occupancy, there will be an operations manager on site daily to assist the residents with day to day queries they may have along with normal daily management of the facilities. There will also be full time security personnel initially but it’s hoped to phase it out gradually.

"There will also be cleaning and maintenance staff on site as required. All residents will have been processed through the Ukrainian Transit Hub in City West where they would have received there Temporary Protection Status which includes their personal PPS number and registration with the Department of Justice.

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The people of Kilcormac unanimously said 'No' last week to a government plan to move a number of Ukrainian refugees out of the town to accommodation elsewhere.

"Residents will also receive medical card and along with their PPS number which leaves them eligible to seek work which many of there fellow country people have done to date, other entitlements are permissions to stay for one year which can be extended, full access to the labour market, social welfare income supports, access to education and to medical care.

"A community Response Forum is operational in every county and their role is to coordinate the community led response in providing assistance and support to Ukrainian refugees as they are accommodated around the country," his statement continued.

He went on to say: "As the sitting Cathaoirleach of the Edenderry Municipal District, I, along with my elected colleagues, will work with all groups to support the integration of Ukrainian refugees into our community and to welcome them wholeheartedly to Edenderry and it’s my wish to have a welcoming party to meet and greet them when they arrive, probably at the end of January or February 2024.

"Finally, there are approximately 1,500 Ukrainian refugees in Offaly presently in Tullamore, Birr, Banagher, Kilcormac and Daingean with to date no issues or problems and they are all very grateful to the Irish people and Government for the warm welcome and supports that they are receiving in towns and villages all over Ireland. In total there are 100,000 Ukrainian refugees in Ireland.

"I thank Offaly County Council for the comprehensive update and I hope this eases peoples' fears and concerns as to the refugees who are to move to Edenderry in the coming weeks and months."

This news comes as another Offaly community has objected strongly to a move that will see Ukrainian refugees moved out of their town.

Locals in Kilcormac unanimously said 'No' last week to a government plan to move a number of Ukrainian refugees out of the town to accommodation elsewhere.

Last Friday week, December 8, locals were shocked when letters were sent to 16 refugees living in Casey's Bar and Guesthouse stating they would be moved out of Casey's on Monday December 11th at midday and taken to accommodation in Daingean, Tullamore or Sligo.

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“There was an outcry in the town about this,” Cllr John Leahy told The Midland Tribune, “and a number of locals approached me and other local councillors asking us to do something about it. They said to me the Ukrainian refugees had settled well in the town and this was an unkind way to treat them, a bolt out of the blue lacking in compassion. I contacted the Council executive who in turn contacted the Governmental Department, and we got it stopped. I think the Department were a bit taken aback by the level of opposition to moving the 16 refugees.

“The Council told the Department that the 16 refugees could be moved to the convent in Kilcormac and the Department agreed to this.”

He said the Ukrainians will therefore move to the convent bringing the number of Ukrainian refugees living in there to 60.

The councillor pointed out that the convent is sufficiently big to adequately accommodate 60 people. “There are rules,” he stated, “regarding the square footage which each person should be given in their accommodation and the convent situation is abiding by this.

“The refugees have settled well in Kilcormac since they moved here last Spring. They are now part of the community. Their children are attending our schools.”

The letters received by the refugees in Casey's Bar were sent by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Most of the people accommodated in Casey's were family units, mothers and children, most of whom are attending local schools. Locals said treating these people in this way just two weeks before Christmas was “appalling”. They pointed out, in an email sent to The Midland Tribune, that the families “are settled in Kilcormac and with the children in schools, and it would have been very disruptive moving them at short notice like this."

Some locals believe the convent is crowded and is now over capacity, “which is creating further problems, however the people were happy to be able to stay in Kilcormac for the time being.” Cllr Leahy reiterated that the accommodation set-up is sticking to the rules.

The concerned locals were “very unhappy with the way the people were treated” and weren't pleased with the contents of the letter sent to them from the Department, which they felt "lacked compassion for the people concerned.” The letter also stated that the refugees would not be able to bring their pets with them when they moved to Tullamore, Daingean or Sligo (this passage was highlighted).

This is the letter sent to the 16 refugees by the Department:

“As a Beneficiary of Temporary Protection, you were accommodated in Casey's Bar and Guesthouse. However it is no longer possible to accommodate you at this location and, accordingly, new accommodation is being provided.

“The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for the provision of suitable short term emergency accommodation to beneficiaries of temporary protection arriving in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive who indicate that they require assistance in obtaining accommodation.

“Given the large number of people seeking assistance with short term emergency accommodation, it is not possible to facilitate requests for accommodation of a certain type or in a particular location except on specific medical or disability grounds, as verified by the HSE. You should note that at present almost all accommodation on offer is temporary in nature and further moves may be required into the future. You should be aware that in some instances accommodation provided may be shared with other Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. It is also important to note that parents with children under 18 will be responsible, at all times, for their children in such settings.

“A further reminder in relation to any residents who have pets in the accommodation, please ensure that you have secured appropriate accommodation for your pet, as the Department cannot provide for any accommodation for pets at future facilities.

“It is also important to note that due to acute shortage of accommodation available, should you refuse an offer of re-location to alternative suitable accommodation, you will not receive further offers of accommodation from DCEDIY. You will not be permitted to remain in your current accommodation, if alternative accommodation has been allocated to you. You will not be permitted access to CityWest Transit Hub.

“You are, of course, free to source your own accommodation. If you do so please inform the Department so that an accurate record may be maintained.

“If you have children of school going age who are current enrolled in local schools, you can contact Tusla Education Support Services to arrange for re-enrolment in schools servicing the local area where your new accommodation is located.

“Please bring belongings with you, including any medication that may have been prescribed for you, to your new accommodation, Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.

“Kind regards

“Ukrainian Temporary Accommodation Team.”

It was not clear why the Department decided it wanted to move the refugees from their original accommodation or what was to become of that accommodation when it had been vacated.

The locals ended their email to this newspaper stating, “The Ukrainians residents have integrated well into life in Kilcormac and have been an addition to the town. We were therefore very annoyed to see them being treated in this manner by the Department.”