Ukrainian refugees being accommodated at Millstreet Arena

Ukrainian refugees are due to start being accommodated at Millstreet Arena in Co Cork from Wednesday evening.

A Government source said up to 70 refugees would be sent to the emergency accommodation facility and the expectation is that the numbers at the centre will rapidly expand this week.

It could potentially be full by the weekend, the source said, but this would depend on the numbers of people seeking accommodation and the availability of beds elsewhere.

The arena is the first large-scale emergency and temporary accommodation facility to be used to house those fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine, who have largely been housed in hotel rooms following their arrival into the State.

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However, a shortfall in the availability of hotel beds means the facility is to be used to house more than 300 people.

The facilities in the arena include camp beds segregated by partitions and those staying there there will be provided hot meals and access to HSE services on site. Ukrainian TV is to be shown in recreation areas, it is understood.

The Irish Times reported on Wednesday morning that the Cabinet was due to be briefed on the shortage of hotel rooms, which is partially driven by high demand for rooms due to the return of normal domestic and international tourism around the Easter break.

The Governmental has also prepared tented accommodation at Gormanstown Army Camp, but it is not yet needed. The intention is that stays at these facilities will be for a a few days while medium-term accommodation becomes available.

The short-term facilities are deemed necessary to give refugees somewhere to stay between being processed in reception areas, such as that at the Citywest conference centre in Dublin, and being moved onto hotels.

Medium-term options outside the hotel sector are being explored such as pledged private accommodation and public buildings identified by local authorities.