Ukrainian refugees arrive at new accommodation in Laois

Refugees from Ukraine began arriving at newly established accommodation on the Cosby Estate in Stradbally yesterday. 

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth confirmed the first “Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs)” arrived at the site on Monday. The accommodation, at the site of the Electric Picnic Music and Arts festival, is designed to house up to 950 refugees. 

“The Department has begun utilising the emergency accommodation facility located at Stradbally in a limited capacity from 11th December. The facility will be used to accommodate new Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) arrivals into the country.  A family group that includes a child under the age of two or anyone who is in a wheelchair will not be sent to this location,” a Department spokesperson said.   

“It is anticipated that up to 100 BOTPs will be accommodated on the site by the end of the week. The Department are engaging with the relevant stakeholders,” they added. 

Electric Picnic festival tents had been used to accommodate refugees at the Stradbally site earlier this year leading to some criticism over conditions at the site. Those tents will no longer be used for refugees and the newly arrived Ukrainians are to be housed in heated cabins of different sizes. 

The Department  outlined details of the 'winter-ready' accommodation last month. 

“This winter-ready accommodation on Stradbally Estate consists of own-door, en-suite,  heated and insulated cabins, enclosed within large marquee-type structures that are  also heated, containing all ancillary facilities. The overall site will be surrounded by  secure fencing,” the Department said. 

They confirmed the former tented accommodation, which was put into use within days of the Electric Picnic last September, was to be removed once the cabins were ready.

The Department also said statutory requirements “including health and safety, fire, building regulations and other requirements” were to be met by the service provider in Stradbally and stated that the safety of the refugees was paramount. 

The Department is to manage the arrival of refugees for the duration of the 32 week contract.

The new accommodation is being run by a company called Pastures New Ltd which the Department says has experience in commercial hospitality and human welfare support to people living in direct provision. Pastures New Ltd also had the contract for the tented refugee accommodation at the Electric Picnic site in Stradbally.

It is envisaged that most of the people who arrive at the Stradbally site will only stay for a number of weeks. They will be assisted by support services while staying in the accommodation.

“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 Department said.