UL assures student return to campus accommodation after refugee stay

IN A BID to allay concerns, the University of Limerick (UL) has reassured its student body that they will be returning to their student accommodation come September.

The news comes in the wake of Ukrainian refugees seeking emergency shelter within the student residences during the summer months.

Over 150 Ukrainian refugees were temporarily housed within the UL student accommodations during the summer period.

The university, cognisant of its role as a beacon of education and inclusivity, extended its support to these displaced individuals in their time of need.However, as the new academic year approaches, a delicate balancing act has ensued.

In a statement, a spokesperson for UL said: “We are temporarily housing 150 people until a week prior to the start of term when we will be welcoming our students back for the 2023/24 academic year.”

They continued: “This is a short-term arrangement for the summer months and will not impact students returning for the new academic year.”

John Lannon, chief executive of DORAS, an organisation advocating for the rights of migrants and refugees, has highlighted the challenges to be faced for the refugees, as they are due to leave student accommodation.

“Since the government, quite rightly, started welcoming people escaping from that war back in February last year, they have struggled to provide accommodation for them,” Mr Lannon stated.

The situation is said to potentially escalate into an accommodation crisis, with nearly 5,000 people requiring relocation.

It has also been made known that the refugees are currently filtering out from a number of private student accommodations in Limerick, including: Cratloe Woods, Ashdown, Groody, Grove Island and City Campus.

Many refugees are also grappling with financial struggles due to a €38.80 allowance per week.

The Department of Integration stated: “No stone has been left unturned when it comes to procuring accommodation, however, it is a challenge given the number who continue to arrive seeking shelter.”