Government temporarily suspends relocation of hundreds of Ukrainians in Youghal

Kenneth Fox

The Department of Integration has temporarily suspended the relocation of over 400 Ukrainian women and children who were told that they would have to leave the Quality Hotel in Redbarn in Youghal, Co Cork by February 7th next.

Local Fianna Fáil TD, James O’Connor, has welcomed the lifeline given to the Ukrainians who live in the hotel.

“I will continue to raise this issue but I welcome this morning’s news. Since this issue was first raised with me, I have been in constant communication with the government and civil servants in the Department of Integration to fight for the Ukrainian families to remain at Redbarn in light of the enormous disruption this would cause for both the Ukrainians and the wider Youghal community.”

Many of the Ukrainian women who live in the hotel have obtained work in the area whilst their children are settled in local schools.

Eoghan Rua O’Neill, Principal at Bunscoil Mhuire in Youghal, previously said they many of the children who reside at the Quality Hotel attend his school. He had described the situation as “inhumane.”

Mila Rylushkin, mother of thirteen year old Daniil and Alisa (8) said that the children living in the Quality Hotel were “feeling lost” because “life as they know it” is in Redbarn.

Mila told the Opinion Line on Cork’s 96FM that her children were very worried about the situation.

“To find new friends, to start a new school — if there even are places — it is terrifying for the small souls.”

It is understood the provider at the hotel in Youghal is looking to change the accommodation usage from housing Ukrainians to providing shelter for international protection applicants. 

The Department of Integration has indicated that the need for accommodation for international protection applicants is increasing.

In a statement last week the Department of Integration says that that continue to work as part of a “whole of Government” response to the war in Ukraine with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict.

“This supports Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.

As the demand for accommodation for BOTPs decreases, and they make their own independent arrangements for accommodation, the Department is carrying vacancies in commercial contracts.

As a result, the Department ends contracts on a regular basis in order to ensure value for money and greater oversight of the portfolio.

In 2024, over 400 contracts ended for emergency accommodation, in some cases initiated by the providers in order to return to the private sector, or to offer their accommodation for other uses.

At the same time, the need for accommodation for International Protection applicants is increasing and experiencing significant shortages, with over 3,000 people left without an offer of accommodation in 2024.”

The Department statement stresses that every effort is made to keep Ukrainians  as close to their current location as possible

“However, given the significant number of moves planned, this may not always be possible.”