Three Longford centres housing 66 Ukrainian refugees set to be returned to private use
Two of the centres are Saint Christopher Parkside and Cooney's Hotel in Ballymahon where 23 and seven refugees are being accommodated respectively, while the third is the Edgeworth Hotel with 36.
Three county Longford accommodation centres housing 66 Ukrainian refugees will close and be returned to private use in October, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has confirmed today.
Two of the centres are Saint Christopher Parkside and Cooney's Hotel in Ballymahon where 23 and seven refugees are being accommodated respectively.
Thirty-six refugees are staying at the Edgeworth Hotel in Edgeworthstown and the last day they will be able to stay at the premises is October 18 next.
The last day where accommodation will be provided at the two South Longford centres are October 18 for Saint Christopher Parkside and October 31 for Cooney's Hotel.
A statement from the Department of Justice said, "The Community Engagement Team would like to share some information with you about changes to how people affected by the war in Ukraine are accommodated in your area.
"The Government agreed to phase out accommodation that has been provided to people from Ukraine since 2022.
"This means that the State will no longer be offering accommodation to all people who are beneficiaries of temporary protection who arrived into Ireland before March 2024.
The Department of Justice said this change is being introduced on a phased basis which commenced at the end of June.
"On 21 July 2026, residents in some State-supported Ukraine accommodation in your area were informed that they may no longer be accommodated at these centres from October 2026.
"The list of centres in your county is provided at the end of this note.
"We understand that people may raise questions with you about these changes.
"We are sharing this information with you to support you in your work as elected representatives.”
Information and support services
The department said residents at the centres affected are being provided with information and supports to help them to make decisions about their future accommodation options."
They stated they are working with the Irish Red Cross (IRC) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
to provide a dedicated information service.
"These supports include a series of online information sessions, delivered via Zoom, in Ukrainian and Russian.
"People can also contact the local Intreo office for information about supports that are potentially available in the private rental market. People who are affected by these changes can raise questions with the Department via [email protected]
Accommodation Options
The Department of Justice said people currently living in the accommodation centres listed can either apply for continued
accommodation at a State Supported Accommodation Centre if they have specific needs, or they can source accommodation independently.
Continued State-supported accommodation
The Department of Justice said people who feel that they cannot manage in independent accommodation, can apply to the department for continued State-supported accommodation and they stated people can complete an application form online.
This form will be available at www.gov.ie/ukraineupdates from August 4 until August 28 next.
The department said people will need to provide details of their circumstances as well as supporting evidence and more information about who can qualify for ongoing accommodation is also available at www.gov.ie/ukraineupdates.
They said they will inform people who qualify as soon possible after the application closing date.
If people are accepted for ongoing accommodation, they will be accommodated in a Designated Accommodation Centre. People who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who live in a Designated Accommodation Centre where meals and utilities are provided no
longer qualify for certain social assistance payments.
The department said people who are accommodated in a Designated Accommodation Centres will be moved to the weekly Beneficiary of Temporary Protection weekly payment, which is €38.80 in respect of each adult and €29.80 for each child.
Accommodation Centres in your area
The statement outlined there will be a number of Designated Accommodation Centres available in locations around the country.
Some existing centres will close and be returned to private use.
The next use of the property after a contract ends is a decision for the owner.
Some existing centres may become Designated Accommodation Centres, and some residents whose application is accepted may be able to stay in their current accommodation.
Others will be assigned to a new location.
The department said they will try to give successful applicants as much notice as possible of their allocated accommodation and date of transfer, if applicable.
They said they will keep residents and local representatives and stakeholders informed as much as possible while they process applications and put arrangements in place based on the results of the applications.
Details of centres that are confirmed to be closing will be kept updated on www.gov.ie/ukraineupdates .