20,000 Ukrainian refugees expected in Ireland by end of March

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has predicted that there will be approximately 20,000 refugees from Ukraine in the State by the end of March.

“What is happening now that people with a vacant property are being prioritised. Then we will get people who can provide a room. There will be 20,000 people who will be offered accommodation to and I ask people to be patient, he said.

Vacant Army barracks, hotels and B&Bs were suggested as options to be used to house those fleeing the war.

Mr Varadkar said that it was the preference for refugees to have own-door accommodation, followed by living in other people’s homes and then communal living.

A Ukrainian reception centre has been set up at the old terminal building in Dublin Airport, where refugees can register, obtain PPS numbers and get help to find accommodation.