A number of an expected 950 Ukrainian refugees have begun arriving at Stradbally Estate where “winter ready accommodation” is now complete just two weeks before Christmas.
The site will accommodate up to 950 people who will arrive on a phased basis over the next several weeks, has been ready for the past month.
The site at Stradbally Estate, best known for hosting the hugely successful music festival Electric Picnic, started receiving refugees or Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) on Monday.
By the end of this week the Department of Integration said that 100 refugees will be living on the site.
When the Department first announced the plans in early October, it was expected that the first refugees would be arriving on site by November 6th.
Construction and ancillary work was completed a week later according to the Department who did not answer questioning over the cost of the new accommodation.
A Department of Integration spokesperson said that they have started “utilising the emergency accommodation facility located at Stradbally in a limited capacity" from yesterday. (Monday)
The spokesperson continued that the facility will be used to accommodate “new Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs)” or Ukrainian arrivals into the country.
“A family group that includes a child under the age of two or anyone who is in a wheelchair will not be sent to this location. It is anticipated that up to 100 BOTPs will be accommodated on the site by the end of the week,” the spokesperson said explaining that the Department are engaging with the relevant stakeholders.
However this is disputed by Independent councillor Aisling Moran who said at a Laois County Council meeting on Monday they were not informed that some of the 950 expected on site had started arriving.
Cllr Moran explained that she was informed by the Council that the cost for accommodating each Ukrainian refugee nightly she was told “it was different for everyone and that the Council did not know exact amounts.”
She added: “I heard it was €100 nightly and that the powers who be had considered doubling that payment as it was difficult to secure accommodation. They (Council) neither confirmed or denied it. It was thought at this stage that the site was not going to be used as it’s the middle of Winter and only two weeks to Christmas.”
In a briefing note to local politicians from the Department of Integration last October officials said that the “winter-ready accommodation” on Stradbally Estate will consist of own-door, en-suite, heated and insulated cabins, enclosed within large marquee-type structures that are also heated, containing all ancillary facilities.
The site will be surrounded by secure fencing. The note continued that the winter-ready accommodation is located on an area separate from the previous tented facility which was used for six weeks in September and October when up to 500 people stayed there.
The accommodation facility is to be operated by Pastures New Ltd. The management of the company, the Department said, has experience in large scale event development, the commercial hospitality sector and human welfare supports to asylum communities in direct provision settings.
The facility, according to the Department will be staffed with a team to include the facilities manager, community manager, facilities management, welfare staff, food service staff, cleaners and a 24-hour presence for on-site security and medical staff.
The site is surrounded on all sides by secure fencing, and will have one entrance and exit point, managed at all times by security. Each resident will be issued with a lanyard displaying photo ID, which they will be required to show on entry and exit.
In September, up to 500 Ukrainian refugees were accommodated at the site for a six-week period.
Another 950 Ukrainian refugees expected to be accommodated on Glendalough Estate was axed following considerable local and political opposition.
