Ukrainian families move into modular houses in Tullamore

Ukrainian families moved into a scheme of modular houses at Clonminch, Tullamore, this week according to DCEDIY [Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth].

A statement to the Tribune said: ''A site in Tullamore for the Rapid Build Programme has been completed and families have moved into the houses this week.

For each of the rapid build sites DCEDIY is working with other Departments and Agencies to ensure that the additional resources needed are in place.

DCEDIY is working closely with the Department of Health in relation to the healthcare needs of displaced people from Ukraine. The HSE is being notified of the proposed number of residents for each site and associated potential healthcare needs.

Also the Department of Education is planning for the extra school places that may be needed. If the local school does not have enough places, alternative arrangements will be made to bring occupant children to schools close by.''

Meanwhile, Offaly County Council have also issued a statment saying: ''This development was carried out as part of the States Humanitarian Response to the Ukrainian crisis. The site at Clonminch is one of a number of similar developments throughout the country carried out under the Governments Rapid Build Programme to provide secure short term accommodation to those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The Rapid Build home is a high quality, energy efficient dwelling. DCEDIY has confirmed that work is now complete on the site and that 64 Ukrainian families will occupy the Rapid Build homes in Clonminch Place this week. It was also confirmed that the various local agencies will engage with the new residents in relation to ensuring access to local services etc.''

This week Councillor Tony McCormack expressed concern that another premises in Tullamore could be used to house either asylum seekers or Ukrainian refugees.

 Cllr Tony McCormack said he believes that a premises in the town and other buildings had been bought by a direct provision company.

Bridgestock Care who operate an asylum seekers centre in Tullamore say they have not bought the building in question and added that they have no intention of doing so.

Councillor McCormack said his job as a local councillor ''is to support the community, including all the diversities, but our education system, our mental health system and our housing and infrastructure is being compromised. There are no places available for kids to go to school. We have all seen articles on the paper and in other media about the problems we are having. Our mental health care is non-existent.''

Cllr McCormack said there are over 1,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Tullamore, ''that's close to 8% of our population,'' he stressed.

''I am going to write to Minister Roderic O'Gorman and ask him not to sign any contracts with providers of any asylum seekers in the Tullamore area. This is because of the lack of services for these vulnerable people,'' he said.