Dublin Central TDs Gary Gannon and Marie Sherlock have criticised plans by the government to remove Ukrainian refugees from their accommodation in Dublin 1.
In February, plans by the Department of Integration to remove over 100 Ukrainian refugees and their families from accommodation were halted after pressure was put on the government.
On February 20th, Ukrainians in the Hubble Student Accommodation facility in Mayor Street in Dublin 1 were given just six days’ notice of their move to an equestrian centre in Kill in Co. Kildare.
The plan was criticised for the logistics of moving people who haves settled in accommodation to a site in County Kildare.
Of the 240 Ukrainians at the site, there are 49 school students and 77 in employment.
Now, the same refugees have been given 36 hours notice to vacate, a plan which Sherlock called “insanity.”
“This is inhumane and unbelievable. The shotgun nature of the move is clear, with the Department informing many families that parents and their children will be accommodated in different counties. One elderly woman confined to a wheelchair, 89, was informed that she will be separated from her husband,” the Labour TD said.
“I sincerely hope that this communication was an error. However, even if I am to give the Department the benefit of the doubt on this, it is utterly shameful that the communication from the Department could be so distressing and so cruel.”
“This is shocking treatment of refugees who have set down roots in our community in Dublin 1, and far below the standards we should expect from Government. It is utterly symbolic of the shotgun nature of the moves by the Department, as Norma Foley waits to pass the can to Jim O’Callaghan.
“In a week where globally the Irish diaspora is being celebrated, for our state to act so appallingly is truly unbelievable.
“I have written directly to both ministers today to intervene and ensure much more dignified treatment of these Ukrainians.”
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said that the Department Of Integration had to be “embarrassed” into halting the move in February as the optics of making refugees leave accommodation on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine would have reflected poorly on the government.
Now, the government are using the Saint Patrick’s Day festivities to sneak the move by an unsuspecting public.
Gannon, the Social Democrats spokesperson on immigration, said “the proposed move is so chaotic, and badly planned, that parents received letters telling them they will be moved to an accommodation centre in Kildare and their young children will be moved to Swords.”
“Despite children attending schools in Dublin 1, the Department is proposing to move them far away – to Kildare, Swords, and Bray.”
“This will inevitably mean children having to move schools in the middle of the school year – and losing connection with friends they have made.”
He reflected Sherlock’s comments, saying “no allowance has been made for those adults who are in employment either, with those people now at a loss as to how they can remain in their jobs.”
“This move is both chaotic and cruel. There has been zero interest from the Department in promoting the integration of refugees in their host communities.
“These children have already been through so much – forced to flee to Ireland and learn a new language. They have now made friends and are excelling in their schools – but this move will cause huge disruption and upset.”
“At a minimum, the move should be postponed to the end of the school year so children are not uprooted from schools and adults have time to both look for alternative accommodation and make arrangements for work.”
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said on RTÉ in recent weeks, “too many people are coming to Ireland seeking international protection, who are not entitled to international protection,” a change from the previous governments stance on immigration.
In January, 80% of application claims for international protection were rejected, a stat which O’Callaghan defended.
“We have to have a procedure which recognises that if you come in and you’re granted international protection, you stay, you’re welcome; if you come in and you refuse international protection, you leave, you’re gone.”