Refugees find room at the inn for a little bit longer

ONE hundred and fifty Ukrainian families living in Carlow town have received their Christmas wish and will now stay in their homes over the festive season.

Last week, families living at the former Tougher’s Restaurant, Dublin Road, Carlow were abruptly told that the premises used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees since 2022 was to close due to fire safety concerns. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth told residents that it had ended its contract with the accommodation provider and all the Ukrainian families living there must leave before or on 1 January.

However, following public outcry over the decision to move families just days before Christmas, an extension of the contract to the end of January 2025 has been granted.

The Nationalist has learned that following an inspection by the local authority fire officer, it was established that an extension of the contract to the end of January 2025 would be possible if the provider fulfilled certain conditions to ensure the safety of the people on the site. The provider has agreed to these conditions, and the relocation will be paused until a date in January.

It is understood that beneficiaries of temporary protection are free to make their own private arrangements for accommodation in the area, either through the pledge or Offer a Home scheme, or by renting privately if they wish to do so.

Information about these options has been given to the people in Tougher’s accommodation.

“The department acknowledges the disruption that these moves can cause; however, we have always been clear that the accommodation provided is temporary and moves are necessary,” a department spokesman stated.