950 Ukrainian refugees are to be given own door ensuite cabin accommodation near Glendalough in Co Wicklow, and will start to move in next month, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has announced.
“It is intended that each site will accommodate up to 950 people, with the contract in place for a period of 32 weeks,” a spokesperson for the Department said.
The move that has caused concern with Wicklow residents.
Independent councillor John Snell said: “Once again public representatives are kept in the dark until the ink is dry on a contract. The Glendalough estate at Annamoe will be home to potentially 950 people (families) from Ukraine starting in a matter of weeks, so many questions and not a sinner to be found to give any answers.”
“Talk about disgraceful communication to the community, residents, councillors, schools, doctors, shops the list goes on.”
“Annamoe’s population will be quadrupled overnight,” he said.
Wicklow resident Wayne Curran was shocked to hear of the move which he says will have a massive impact on the local community:
“This is more insanity from the government, people are absolutely sick of this, as I understand it, these people be eligible to vote in the next local elections. For me this is tantamount to gerrymandering, where is the democracy in having almost 1000 people vote in an election despite never having lived in an area in their lives until now?” he said.
The document issued by the Department confirmed the contract for the site has been awarded to Pastures New Limited. The same company won the contract to house refugees in tents on the site of Electrick Picnic in Stradbally Co. Laois.
The document also detailed the facilities available at the site:
“The winter-ready accommodation at Glendalough Estate is in own-door en-suite heated and insulated cabins, enclosed within large marquee-type structures that are also heated, containing all ancillary facilities. There will be various configurations to accommodate families, couples, single persons etc.
The overall site will be secured appropriately. The accommodation provided takes careful consideration of BOTPs’ welfare needs and includes the following services;
- hot catered meal service provision,
- on-site access to an advanced paramedic and first aid service,
- shower and toilet facilities in each own-door cabin;
- self-service laundry facilities;
- sanitation and refuse services;
- indoor dining facilities;
- indoor and outdoor recreational spaces;
- utilities (hot water, heating)
- easy access between accommodation and other amenities
All cabins will be enclosed in a marquee-type solid sided structure complete with cassette floor system and rigid wall panelling throughout, complete with doors, glass panels and ramps.”
The document also detailed the provision of private transport to Bray and Greystones along with the provision of medical cards and PPS numbers to everyone at the site.
Mr. Curran contacted a number of Wicklow TD’s and the “Community Engagement Team” email with a number of queries including:
Mr. Curran has not yet received a reply to his queries.
We have contacted local TD’s John Brady SF, Jennifer Whitmore SD, Steven Matthews Green Party, Stephen Donnelly FF and Simon Harris FG and have yet to receive a reply.