Ukrainian refugees have been sleeping at Dublin Airport after our asylum system hit its capacity.
And tents are to be erected in Citywest to house refugees after it emerged the state had run out of accommodation. Gormanstown army camp in Co. Meath is also being prepared to house refugees fleeing the Russian war on Ukraine.
The Government previously indicated the '"tented village" which was erected by the Defence Forces would be used as a last resort. Increasing numbers of people fleeing the war have been coming to Ireland as Russia bombs more civilian areas.
Read more: Ryanair passengers forced to share hotel rooms with strangers after Dublin Airport flight cancelled
As a result, the Government warned of a "severe shortage" of state accommodation for arriving Ukrainian refugees and the Department of Children has said anyone arriving into the country will have to stay in Dublin Airport if they don't have alternative accommodation. So far, just over 40,000 Ukrainians have arrived into Ireland seeking refuge from the war and last week nearly 1,500 arrived. Secretary General of the Irish Red Cross Liam O'Dwyer was briefed by the Government on the issue.
He told RTE: "We were told that Citywest which has been taking in so many people over the last number of months or weeks was now full. On that basis we were going to have to provide some additional tented accommodation within that facility and have to activate the other plan which is the tented village, for want of better want of better wording, in Gormanstown."
Mr O'Dwyer added that they were told that refugees are staying at the airport now. He said: "That is what we were told yesterday evening I think that is a reality and I think that will probably change in a couple of days.
It follows Minister Simon Harris saying Ukrainian refugees residing in student accommodation will be moved out before the new college term begins in September.
READ NEXT:
- Dublin Airport: Representatives want soldiers to be paid €104 extra for every day they carry out security duty
- Dublin Airport: Over 2.3 million passengers last month as operators say army will be on standby
- Rooftop bar overlooking Dublin Airport runway to open this weekend
- Ryanair flight prices set to soar as CEO Michael O'Leary slams Brexit as 'height of idiocy'
- Dublin Airport: Soldiers ordered on 500km round trip for security work
Sign up for the Dublin Live newsletter to get the latest breaking news straight to your inbox
