Barracks should house Ukrainian refugees

CALL Council to write to minister; pressure grows on ETB

There are growing calls for vacant accommodation at the former Dún Uí Néill barracks to be used to house Ukrainian refugees arriving to Cavan.

There are currently more than 300 refugees in Cavan at present in hotels or guesthouses organised through the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS). The figure does not include the “significant” additional numbers residing with friends or families across the county, or those staying with members of public who have pledged spare rooms in their own homes via the Red Cross.

The latest Ukrainian arrivals, close to a dozen, moved to Bawnboy at the start of this week.

However, it was accepted at a meeting of Cavan County Council last Monday that Cavan has “likely not seen the height of the problem yet” with regards to trying to accommodate any future arrivals seeking refugee from the Russian invasion of their home country.

The discussion took place on foot of a motion tabled by Fianna Fáil’s Patricia Walsh and John Paul Feeley, together with Fine Gael’s Madeleine Argue, who all argued in favour of the barracks being used.

Much of the barracks site, owned by Cavan-Monaghan ETB, is used by learners attached to Cavan Institute. However, Cllr Walsh pointed out that there are empty sections of what was once “the most modern purpose-built military facility” in Europe before it was decommissioned in 2012.

She urged that the council write to Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, asking that the property be put into service.

Remarking that it would take “little” to bring the barracks back up to a liveable standard, Cllr Walsh believed the site was “ideal” to house refugees given its close proximity to all other local services.

Cllr Feeley endorsed what his party colleague said. “Anything we can do as a society, as a local authority, we should do.”

'Perfect sense'

He added it would “make perfect sense” to use the barracks and this, in turn, would take pressure off other accommodation sources.

Cllr Argue said she was in contact with the ETB but was told “people had come to look at it and found it was not suitable”.

Nonetheless, she felt it would not cost much “to have it [done] up right!”.

Cavan County Council are part of a multi-agency group coordinating a response to deal with Ukrainian refugees that have arrived, and in expectation of those yet to come.

The group takes input from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; HSE; Tusla; Cavan Monaghan ETB; Cavan Public Participation Network and others. To date, it has met twice, with the latest engagement taking place last Friday, April 8.

Eoin Doyle, Director of Services for Housing, Libraries & Cultural Services, Human Resources & Corporate Services, explained to last Monday’s council meeting that the council is working to assist in coordinating all efforts taking place.

He said the local authority would approach the ETB over use of the former Dun Ui Neill barracks site, and noted the use of the sports hall at the Cavan Complex was for “emergency” only, with the remainder of services at the site, including the swimming pool and gym, still open to the public.

“Currently there are in excess of 300 displaced Ukrainian in Cavan, and they are being cared for in various accommodation throughout the county,” explained the council chief executive, Tommy Ryan. Speaking to the Celt after the meeting had ended, he stated that the “majority” accommodation being used by Ukrainian refugees in Cavan has been arranged with private providers through the Government agency IPAS.

“Separately a pledge was requested by the Irish Red Cross and a number of accommodation owners have offered those [places] also. The Red Cross is the process of assessing the suitability of those properties and will be in touch in due course.”

He said of the Sports Complex that the council had been asked to provide an “emergency facility” and that this, if required, could accommodate up to 50 refugees, if required, on a “short-term” basis.

“There is a multi-agency response when displaced Ukrainians arrive. There are over 300, and actually another significant number living privately with friends and relatives. Overall there is a need for a wraparound service and support to be provided with regard health and schooling, social supports, garda, PPN and the Leader company. As a council we’ve been asked to part of that, and share experiences. We’ve had two meetings to date and we will continue to engage with that forum in the weeks and months ahead.”

The CMETB was asked for a comment in relation to the matter and issued the following response: "The Barracks was viewed to assess its potential for the accommodation of Ukrainian refugees. However, it was deemed unsuitable."

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