More Ukrainian refugees coming to Laois but Rathdowney 'full' - Fine Gael councillor

A new phase of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion will be brought to Laois this year, but Rathdowney is already "full up" a local Fine Gael councillor has said.

Laois has so far taken in 1,462 war refugees from Ukraine, in latest figures given by Laois County Council.

Ireland must take a new phase of Ukraine refugees, starting later in 2024 for another 18 months, the CEO John Mulholland said in his monthly report.

Stradbally is to get another 850 people on top of the 101 currently camped in the Cosby estate.

However Cllr John King has said his town of Rathdowney is "at full capacity" for services.

Rathdowney is one of the few places in Ireland where a new modular housing estate has been built for Ukrainian refugees, and the 42 houses in 'Spring Crescent' are now occupied by 168 people.  

"70 children came with the Ukraine families. I am happy to say that there are 30 in the national school and 30 in St Fergal's College, with the remainder in Clogh NS and Errill NS.

"Rathdowney is at full capacity as regards services. We have our fill, we can't take any more, we are full at the moment," he said at the January 2024 council meeting.

A recent report commissioned on Rathdowney found that it suffers a 50% vacancy rate in commercial buildings, has no cafés or gift shops, and poor public transport options. It has a population of just under 1,300 people.

Last December, Cllr King had said the Government wants to build 50 more houses in the Rathdowney estate.

Stradbally is also set to receive many more Ukrainian temporary residents.

There are now 101 people staying in the 'transitional site' in the Electric Picnic grounds, at the Cosby estate in Stradbally but that is set to grow dramatically.

A more permanent accommodation centre in Stradbally will open once the Government approves legislation. It will be a "90 day centre" with a capacity of 950 people.

Most of the 1,462 Ukrainian refugees staying in Laois live in privately sourced or pledged accommodation, at 878 people.

Another 315 live in accommodation centres such as hotels, guesthouses, hostels and refurbished properties.

Spring Crescent in Rathdowney has 168 Ukrainians living in the 42 new prefab family homes. It was funded by the Office of Public Works, built on council land. It is now under management by the Tuath Housing Association, appointed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. 

"A very successful welcome event took place in the community centre in Rathdowney on January 15, with good attendance from the local Ukrainian community in the catchment area, and from Response Forum agencies and local community groups. The objective was to propmote and support the integration of these recent new arrivals into the wider Rathdowney community," Laois County Council reported.

The council is looking for more accommodation in Laois.

"The council continues to assist the Department with the temporary accommodation of Ukrainian arrivals to our county, as well as providing liaison locally in relation to vacant buildings and sites suitable for medium to long term accommodation solutions. 

"The council continues to allocate privately pledged / offered accommodation to Ukrainian families, with 53 households having been provided to date".

They add that a new council Integration Support Service began in January at Treo Nua in Portlaoise, to "support all newly arrived refugees with aspects of their integration including linking them in with mainstream support services, independent living and social inclusion".