Former Limerick school confirmed as 'designated accommodation centre'

A LIMERICK school has been picked as one of six locations nationwide for a "designated accommodation centre", it was officially announced this Wednesday.

The former Salesian Secondary School at Fernbank, just off North Circular Road, has been chosen. It has capacity of 250 people.

There have been protests ahead of the arrival of refugees outside the building. A number of parents with children at the neighbouring Salesian Primary School, which has 420 students, have pledged to do “everything we can” to halt this.

A statement from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth this Wednesday says that new legislation to bring into effect a revised approach to supporting new arrivals from Ukraine has been commenced. It follows the Government decision in December and the passing of the relevant legislation last week.

"Under the revised approach, from this Thursday, March 14, anyone fleeing the war in Ukraine, who registers for temporary protection and is looking for State-provided accommodation in Ireland, will be accommodated for a maximum of 90 days. They will be provided with food, laundry, other services and integration supports in designated accommodation centres," said a spokesperson.

The first five centres to be in confirmed are Ballyogan Road, Dublin City (capacity: 392); Stradbally, Co. Laois (capacity: 950; Fernbank, Limerick city (capacity: 250); Punchestown, Co. Kildare (capacity: 378) and Gerald Griffin Street, Cork City (capacity: 107).

"Standard social welfare payments will no longer be available to a person while they are resident in designated Accommodation centres. They will be entitled to a reduced weekly allowance of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child in respect of daily expenses, while they are resident in designated accommodation centres. Entitlement to child benefit is not affected by these changes.

"When they leave the designated accommodation centre, or if they make their own accommodation arrangements on arrival, they will be entitled to apply for standard social welfare assistance, equivalent to Irish citizens subject to meeting the eligibility conditions," said the spokesperson.

Backlash over plan to house Ukrainians in former Limerick school

The Government is making these changes in order to continue to meet the EU Temporary Protection Directive requirements, and to align more closely with other EU Member States, said the spokesperson.

"These changes will not affect people from Ukraine who arrived in Ireland before this policy came into force and are already registered for temporary protection.

"The focus of supports in designated centres will be orientation on living and working in Ireland and the options for sourcing accommodation independently.  The remaining centre will be announced once finalised," said the spokesperson.

This change does not apply to people seeking international protection in Ireland, it is only for people fleeing the war in Ukraine who request temporary protection here.

Further information can be found on www.gov.ie/Ukraine