Almost 48,000 Ukrainian refugees are currently in Ireland according to the latest CSO data, with thousands more arriving every week.
In just 5 months, since February 24th, a total of 47,962 Ukrainians have entered the Irish State, with nearly 3,300 arriving in just the past 2 weeks.
Reportedly, 47% of arrivals are women over the age of 20, and children aged 0 to 19 make up 36% – 83% in total between both categories according to official figures.
This is largely because fighting-aged males are currently required by Ukrainian law to stay and fight the war against Russia, and it is a criminal offence for them to leave.
Reportedly, 38% of arrivals were categorised as “one parent with children.”
Of the 15,627 arrivals who attended an event about securing employment, 67% found that a poor proficiency in the English language was a barrier to getting a job.
The new figures come as the State’s accommodation options begin to run out, being forced to allow non-residential properties to be repurposed as living spaces.
The government is also housing individuals in hotels, military camps, and potentially hospital accommodation in the future, while asking the public to put up refugees in their homes if at all possible.