Government Department defends conditions at campsite in Laois

A Government Department has defended conditions at a refugee camp  after they were queried at a Municipal District meeting last week. 

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran questioned the conditions at the Ukrainian refugee site in Stradbally at the latest Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District meeting. 

She visited the site and took pictures of the facility before being asked to leave. She said  the tents should be three or four metres apart to comply with fire regulations but were only about a metre apart. 

“I don’t know how a fire officer signed off on this,” said Cllr Moran.  

“I would like a copy of the fire certificate,” she added.

Cllr Moran raised questions about the washing facilities, cooking area and the use of portaloos for toilet facilities. 

Cllr Moran also took issue with what she claimed was the “narrative” that anyone who raised concerns about the site was a racist. She said people had genuine concerns about the site, its suitability for the locality and the welfare of those who were to be accommodated.

Independent Cllr Ben Brennan told Cllr Moran that the council had no role in the refugee camp.

Cllr  Moran pointed out that they were public representatives and should be permitted to raise issues of concern to the local community. 

Laois Fire Service forwarded a query in relation to the site from the Leinster Express/Laois Live to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

In response, the Department issued a statement about the refugee camp on the Electric Picnic site. 

“Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ireland has seen an unprecedented number of people arrive in Ireland fleeing the war. In addition, there has been a huge increase in people seeking asylum from other countries,” the Department stated. 

“The pressure to accommodate over 93,920 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. Stradbally was identified as a contingency site within this context.

The safety and security of the residents of the site is of paramount importance. The Stradbally accommodation facility does not require a fire safety certificate, but a fire risk assessment has been undertaken for the site. The Department is satisfied that all requirements have been met appropriately,” the Department said. 

Former Laois resident to be awarded the State's highest bravery award for a civilian

“People being accommodated at the site for the coming weeks will receive 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,” the Department added.

The arrangement to accommodate Ukrainian refugees at the former Electric Picnic site in Laois is expected to last for six weeks. The refugees began arriving at the site when the Electic Picnic ended on September 4 last. 

The Department has previously announced that it would accommodate up to 750 refugees at the site. 

It’s understood that there were 250 people living on the site last week. The refugees are aged between four and 60 years of age.