Modular housing still an option for Ukrainian refugees, says Minister

The Government will look at all options, including modular housing, to accommodate tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees potentially arriving into Ireland during 2022, Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman has said.

Mr O’Gorman gave an update to his Government colleagues on Tuesday on the scale of the challenge facing authorities here as well as the work that has been done so far by each Government department.

His direct reference to modular housing remaining on the table as a solution contradicts comments by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar last week, who ruled out this type of housing as an option.

Speaking after the weekly Cabinet meeting, Mr O’Gorman said it was difficult to predict how many would arrive in Ireland but it was preparing for “tens of thousands”.

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“It’s important to say that all options including modular housing are being addressed right now.

“We have to recognise that the scale of the challenge we are facing is the biggest humanitarian crisis the EU has ever faced. It will be the biggest humanitarian response that has ever been asked of Ireland.

He said about 2,200 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland so, about two-thirds of whom are living with relatives or family members.

“We are providing hotel accommodation for just over 600,” he said. “We expect that number to grow. We are looking to increase the amount of hotel accommodation in the short term. We are also aware that our commitment to these refugees has to be a long-term commitment.”

Irish obligation

Under the EU’s temporary protection directive, Ireland has an obligation to accommodate up to 2 per cent of Ukrainians who flee the violence. With the number of refugees outside the country surpassing two million for the first time on Tuesday, it means Ireland is committed to accommodate at least 40,000.

The Irish Red Cross has received more than 6,100 pledges from the public to accommodate refugees. A new portal, which is being funded by the Government and run in conjunction with the Irish Red Cross, allows the public to register if they gave a spare room or vacant property via registerofpledges.redcross.ie.

“When you see the scale of the violence in Ukraine and see that there does not seem to be much chance of a resolution in the short term, we can expect the number leaving the country to increase, Mr O’Gorman said.

“Ireland and all the EU member states will see very significant numbers of Ukrainian citizens come to our country in the weeks ahead and we are going to have to design our plans and response to accommodate tens of thousands of individuals,” he said.

In relation to people hosting refugees in their own home, he said a team in his department was now working with the Red Cross.

“We will contact each person who has made an offer just to scope out what that offer is. There will have to be checks on premises that are being offered.

“We are asking for people’s patience. We need to scale up the resources we have to deal with this.

“The immediate accommodation for those who are arriving right now is hotel accommodation,” he said.

He said the scale of the response would be unprecedented. He also said that the Government would issue all Ukrainian refugees with a PPS number, which would give them access to social welfare, health and education, as well as access to the labour market. He said he had no doubt that many of those who arrived in Ireland would be willing to work.

“I met a number of [newly-arrived] refugees on Monday and they were very focused on working and trying to restart to rebuild their lives

“That will be a priority for many people arriving here.”