Ukrainian refugees to be housed at new Designated Accommodation Centre in Kilkenny

A spokesperson for the Department of Integration has confirmed to Kilkenny Live that, “From late February 2025 onwards 286 beds will be provided for people fleeing the war in Ukraine in the Wallslough Village.

“The Wallslough Accommodation Centre will be utilised as a Designated Accommodation Centre (DAC), where new arrivals from Ukraine who seek accommodation from the State will be offered a maximum of 90 days in State-supported accommodation.

“As a result, it is expected that residents will only stay for several weeks as they adjust to living in Ireland and prepare to transition to their own independent accommodation.

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“The accommodation has undergone significant refurbishment works, overseen through the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme (ERUP).

“The Department’s acceptance of this property as temporary accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine was dependent on completion of the conversion and refurbishment works.

“This required that all the necessary statutory and regulatory requirements were met, in line with the Guidelines for Temporary Accommodation in Existing Buildings for those fleeing the war in Ukraine – Single Persons and Family Type Accommodation (May 2022), and all regulatory matters satisfactorily resolved.”

In related news, the Ukrainian community in Kilkenny organised a public demonstration on Sunday at Kilkenny Castle to mark three years since the invasion of their home country by Russia.

It was an opportunity for local Ukrainians to come together and express their support for each other during an ever-evolving and unpredictable time in global geopolitics.

A speech read out on the day gave thanks to the hospitality of the Irish people: “For three years now, Ukrainians in Ireland have been provided with social housing, financial aid, and opportunities to study, work, and persevere despite all hardships.
The Irish people, perhaps more than anyone, understand what occupation and the suppression of a native language mean.
“We are immensely grateful for every moment of attention, support and help!”

According to the Local Authority Integration Team (LIAT), there were 628 Ukrainians in Department of Integration commercial properties, ‘Offer a Home’ and/or pledged property in County Kilkenny in January.

These figures also stated that 69% of local Ukrainians are employed.

Last month, the LAIT provided support in welcoming 37 new Ukrainians to Kilkenny.

The team also worked with 58 Ukrainians with 125 interventions including queries on health, assistance with changing their address, and accommodation.

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