Pastures New Ltd to run Electric Picnic Ukraine refugee Laois campsite - read the Government 'briefing note'

The Department of Children, Equality,  Disability, Integration and Youth issued an update on the use of Electric Picnic tents in Stradbally in a briefing note circulated to public representatives in Laois on Friday, September 1.

In a letter to TDs and councillors, they say the ongoing situation with regard to arrivals from Ukraine remains extremely challenging, and a recent increase in the rate of arrivals from Ukraine has placed the accommodation system under intense pressure.

"As such, high-quality tented solutions, suitable for short-term use, are now being activated to help cope with demand and to avoid a situation where no accommodation is available. Intensive efforts remain ongoing to bring more regular accommodation options online as quickly as possible," said the preamble.

The Department has told the politicians that a briefing note will help them respond to queries from the public.

No press statement has been issued by the Department or Electric Picnic.

The briefing note says the site will be run privately by Pastures New Limited.  

READ Briefing note IN FULL BELOW

Temporary Emergency Accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from Ukraine. 

Briefing Note: Friday 1 September, 2023 

Ukraine Temporary Accommodation Facility, Stradbally, County Laois

This briefing note is being provided to you by the Department of Children, Equality,  Disability, Integration and Youth to ensure you are informed of developments in your area  in relation to emergency accommodation for international applicants. 

Update on Stradbally - Ukraine Temporary Accommodation Facility, County Laois 

From Tuesday 5 September onwards 750 beds will be provided for Beneficiaries of  Temporary Protection fleeing the war in Ukraine in facility in Stradbally for a period of six  weeks. 

∙ The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will manage  moving people into this centre. 

∙ The contract with this facility has been signed for a period of six weeks. ∙ All statutory requirements relating to the establishment and management of emergency  accommodation are being met by the service provider, including health and safety.  ∙ The accommodation provided at Stradbally takes careful consideration of BoTPs’ welfare  needs and includes the following welfare services - hot catered meal service provision,  on-site access to an advanced paramedic and first aid service, serviced shower and toilet  facilities; self-service laundry facilities; sanitation and refuse services; indoor and  outdoor dining facilities; indoor and outdoor recreational spaces; utilities (hot water,  heating) availability and tracked walkway all around site to ensure safe passage between  on-site tents and other amenities. 

∙ The safety and security of the BoTP residents of the site is of paramount importance.

∙ The site is surrounded on all sides by secure fencing, and will have one entrance and exit  point, managed at all times by security. Each resident will be issued with a lanyard  displaying photo ID, which they will be required to show on entry and exit. Standard  procedures (incl. visitor log) will apply for guests visiting the site. 

A - Context and Overview of Current Accommodation Pressures  

Legislation: 

Immediately after the outbreak of war in Ukraine, all EU Member States agreed  the Temporary Protection Directive, offering expedited stay, accommodation if required and  work status for those fleeing the war.  

These people have come to Ireland as families with children, individuals, couples, young and  old alike as a direct result and consequence of the war. On arrival in Ireland they make  themselves known to relevant authorities who then process their application and begin the  process of finding them accommodation should they require this.  

Context:  

• Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ireland has seen an unprecedented number of  people arrive here fleeing the Russian aggression. In addition, there has been a huge  increase in people seeking asylum from other countries.  

∙ Since February 2021 to date, the Department is providing over 92,700 people seeking  refuge with state-sourced accommodation, and that number continues to increase.  

∙ This consists of 69,573 people who have fled the war in Ukraine and 23, 194 people  seeking international protection. 

∙ In the last six months there has been an average of 525 new people (BOTPs) seeking  accommodation every week. 

∙ Our communities and neighbourhoods have responded with a generosity of spirit, in  keeping with both our international reputation and our obligations, that recognises the  human plight and trauma that people are experiencing, and their right to seek  protection and help from the international community.  

∙ The provision of accommodation, health, education, income and other supports as  appropriate, to both those fleeing the war in Ukraine and International Protection  applicants, is a whole-of-government emergency response.  

∙ A range of departments, agencies, service providers, and local authorities are also involved in the accommodation, resettlement, and integration process. 

∙ Given the scale and urgency of the operation to source accommodation for unplanned  new arrivals, manage and process them appropriately, and transfer and settle them into  their new homes and communities, there has been a requirement to act at pace, with  developments often happening at very short notice.

∙ We are working to improve how new accommodation is sourced, and how these  developments are communicated to local communities. Our aim is to enhance  communications and engagement and give communities more access to information and  updates on what is happening in their community. 

Accommodation Shortage: 

∙ The accommodation of BOTPs is a demand-led process with applicants arriving in the  country and seeking accommodation spontaneously every day.  

∙ The pressure to accommodate over 92,700 new people in such a short period of time  has led to shortages at times. The Department has availed of all suitable offers of  accommodation made through its offer portal on gov.ie, right across the country, in  order to address the accommodation shortfall.  

∙ As a summer contingency measure, the Department contracted 22 student providers to  provide student accommodation. The use of student accommodation while necessary,  has also served to create a further build-up of demand, in light of decreasing supply. 

∙ As students return to third level education and contracts finish with student providers,  significant steps have been taken to find new accommodation for the over 3,000 people  into longer-term accommodation. The Dept. continues to finalise such moves. It has proved extremely challenging to identify accommodation for all concerned, in addition  to the continuous stream of new arrivals.  

∙ It is within this context that the Stradbally Estate site has been identified, as  replacement contingency, as student accommodation returns to accommodate third level students. The Department is working urgently across Government and with  agencies, NGOs and local authorities to bring new accommodation on board to try to  meet the State’s humanitarian responsibilities as new arrivals continue.  

Rationale for Stradbally site choice: 

∙ In exploring multiple contingency options, the Stradbally Estate site was identified as  one of the preferred sites, due to the rapid timeframe within which resources and  facilities could be available (e.g., tents, personal hygiene facilities, etc.).  

∙ Given the immediate and urgent need for BOTP accommodation, the provider’s  readiness and ability to meet all necessary requirements, meant the Stradbally site was  identified as the preferred contingency option.  

∙ Other options continue to be investigated given the serious situation we find ourselves  in, however they will not be available in time.

B – Overall Figures – as of 31 August 2023  

Those fleeing the war in Ukraine

 92,467 - The number of people fleeing the war in Ukraine who have arrived in  Ireland since the start of the war, known as Beneficiaries of  Temporary Protection (BOTPs)  

69,573  The number of people who are being provided with accommodation by the State. 

58  The most recent 7-day average number of daily BOTP arrivals into the  State.

Those seeking International Protection 
23,194 - The number of International Protection applicants (IPAs) who are being accommodated by the State. 

C – Questions and Responses 

1. How many people are intended to be accommodated in the facility in Stradbally? What will the resident breakdown be at the building? 

The maximum capacity is for 750 people. The residency will be entirely made up of  Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from Ukraine. The profile of arrivals fleeing the war in  Ukraine to date is mainly women and children. 

2. How long can people expect to stay there? What is the duration of the contract? The term of the contract for the facility is six weeks.  

The accommodation at the site is for very short-term use and efforts will be made to secure  other short term accommodation for those who will be placed there as soon as possible.  Where people are moved from Stradbally in due course to more sustainable  accommodation, they may be asked to attend the Citywest Transit Hub in the first instance  to be allocated accommodation across the available accommodation portfolio.  

3. What are the conditions at the site – what are the sleeping arrangements, toilets,  showers, etc.? What are the catering arrangements for the building? This emergency accommodation on Stradbally Estate is a single grassland site, surrounded  by secure fencing. The secure site will be configured to hold a series of bell tents with 3- person and 6-person family configurations as required. The facility will be staffed with a  team to include the facilities manager, community manager, facilities management, welfare  staff, food service staff, cleaners and a 24-hour presence for on-site security and medical  staff. 

The facility will take careful consideration of people’s welfare needs and includes the  following services; hot catered meal service provision, on-site access to an advanced paramedic and first aid service, serviced shower and toilet facilities; self-service laundry  facilities; sanitation and refuse services; indoor and outdoor dining facilities; indoor and  outdoor recreational spaces; utilities (hot water, heating) availability and tracked walkway  all around site to ensure safe passage between on-site tents and other amenities . 

4. Who is operating on site? What experience do they have? 

The accommodation facility will be operated by PASTURES NEW LIMITED. The management of the company has experience in large scale event development, the commercial  hospitality sector and human welfare supports to asylum communities in direct provision  settings.  

5. What are the security arrangements for the facility? 

The safety and security of the residents of the site is of paramount importance. The site is  surrounded on all sides by secure fencing, and will have one entrance and exit point,  managed at all times by security. Each resident will be issued with a lanyard displaying  photo ID, which they will be required to show on entry and exit. Standard procedures (incl.  visitor log) will apply for guests visiting the site. Security is being provided by a private  company as part of the signed contract. 

A lit, secure path provides pedestrian access to Stradbally village, from which bus routes can  be used to access other destinations. This path is connected to the village via a gate, and it is  proposed this will also be consistently monitored. 

6. What health supports are available to BOTP Applicants?  

A full list of HSE supports is attached to this briefing, note at Appendix A. As part of this communication and engagement process, the national HSE lead has been  notified of this centre opening and they will activate local services.  

7. What about additional services, such as school places? 

Stradbally is a temporary, short-term site, and as such, there is no current provision for  children to attend local primary schools at this time.  

The provider has proposed to enact a temporary Dome facility on site, with the intention to  provide entertainment / recreation space to children. There is a capacity to provide  educational services if needed but this would require further discussion once the numbers  of children residing on-site have been established. There will be engagement with Education  sector on this matter. 

The provider has stated a willingness to work with approved partners, e.g., IRC, and Local  Authorities to raise awareness of Offer a Home, pledge and other accommodation options  which may be available to BoTP residents for the longer term. These options will continue to  be explored across government, alongside all upcoming accommodation pipeline options.  

8. Is any assessment provided to BOTP Applicants to ascertain their needs or  vulnerabilities? 

All BOTP arrivals are given a medical and health check on arrival to assess their needs. 

9. Who should public representatives contact with follow-on queries or concerns? The Community Engagement Team is working across Government to ensure a more co ordinated approach. Queries from public representatives on this specific location can be  directed to community@equality.gov.ie.

Appendix A 

Department of Health supports 

BOTP = Beneficiary of Temporary Protection  

IP = International Protection 

Communications and Resources: 

∙ The HSE has set up a webpage ‘Healthcare services for Ukrainian nationals in Ireland’  https://www2.hse.ie/services/healthcare-in-ireland/ukrainian-refugees.html.,  available in both Ukrainian and Russian. The website provides comprehensive detail  on health services available to Ukrainian refugees and how to access health services  in Ireland. 

∙ For general information about health services, the HSE’s contact centre (HSE Live)  has a team that speak Ukrainian, available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. The  HSE live phone lines are 1800 700 700 and 00 353 1 240 8787. 

∙ Enhanced translation services have been put in place for all HSE services. · The  National Screening Service has made leaflets and info videos available for the  different screening programmes. This information is now available in Ukrainian and  Russian. 

∙ Easy Read COVID-19 Isolation Guidance has been translated into Ukrainian and  Russian. Available at https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/covid-19-resources-and translations/translated-covid19-information/ · My Health, My Language  (hse.ie/myhealthmylanguage), a video series on health topics in 17 languages,  including Ukrainian, is now live. 

∙ HSE has activated social media links across Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook, and  Instagram which direct people to Ukraine specific health page. A Google paid search  is in place which directs people looking for information on the Irish Health Services  to Ukraine specific health page. 

Supports and Services: 

∙ The mental health supports available to Ukrainians (both adults and children) in  Ireland as a result of the on-going conflict reflect the layered care approach to  mental health support for the wider population. 

∙ These range from self-help and education to GP support and onward referral to  specialist mental health services where necessary. Details of services and pathways  to support are on the ‘Getting Healthcare In Ireland’ HSE webpage dedicated to  Ukrainians. 

∙ The HSE mental health workstream is continuing to promote the MyMind free  counselling service for UKR refugees through ICGP and National Counselling service.  MyMind staff now meet with UKRs at the National Transit Centre in Citywest to  inform them of the services available.

GP Services: 

∙ Demand for GP services amongst Migrant population is increasing in line with  increased demand from existing population. Scaling up temporary sessional clinics  across the country in 2023 is a HSE priority. 

∙ The HSE, in consultation with the IMO, has prepared a range of bespoke options for  those accommodated in hotels and other settings. The exact model for each site  varies depending on numbers and geographical distribution, however all have access  to GP Out of Hours services. On-site clinics or urgent assessments are available  across many sites and there are offsite clinics available through SafetyNet in Dublin  (23 clinics weekly) and Out-of-Hours Providers. 

∙ The HSE has issued an updated GP Framework which includes guidance on maternity  and infant care and the Primary Childhood Immunisation Programme. It also  provides greater clarity on the options for those in emergency accommodation  across the country. 

Medical Cards: 

∙ There is a simplified and streamlined process to apply for and receive a medical card.  Ukrainian refugee applicants will automatically qualify for a medical card. Having a  GP is not a requirement for applying for the card, as one can be assigned afterwards. 

∙ Existing UKR medical card holders will now be subject to a standard means test  assessment after 12 months. Incoming UKR arrivals will continue to have access to a  simplified (non-means assessed) medical card application process during their first  year. 

∙ Those staying in private accommodation (family/friends/pledged accommodation)  can register with local GPs in the normal way under the GMS.