Sudden uprooting of Ukrainians from Dublin 1 flies in the face of all talk of integration

• Residents given just six day notice of move
• Cynical explanation by Governments to address student accommodation crisis does not stack up as RPZ protections have already lapsed and the building will be almost empty until the summer intake of students.
• Residents distraught at huge disruption to schooling, access to work and to health services.

Dublin Central TD Marie Sherlock today demanded that Minster Jim O’ Callaghan and Minister Colm Brophy reverse the sudden uprooting of some 240 Ukrainians from Dublin 1 due to take place this coming week.

Deputy Sherlock said:

“It is outrageous that the Government would act towards any group of people in this way. Just last Thursday 20^th, Ukrainians in the Hubble Student Accomodation facility in Mayor Street in Dublin 1 were give just six days notice of their move to an equestrain centre in Kill in Co. Kildare.

“Until then they were told a move would happen by March 13^that the latest, but no warning nor preparation was made for the 49 school students nor the 77 who are in employment.

“Now, in the middle of a school week, pupils will be cruelly uprooted.

“The reasoning put forward by Government does not add up.

“Firstly, Government has claimed it needs to vacate the rooms to protect the rent pressure zone status of the student accommodation. That is not accurate.

“The RPZ exemption has already kicked in because the student accommodation units have not been rented out to students for more than two years.

“Secondly, most third level students are between 6 and 10 weeks away from end of term. It is highly likely that most of the rooms vacated by the Ukrainians will remain empty until the summer.

“This is unconscionable. All of this flies in the face of a stated Government intent to try and help Ukranians integrate into the communities they live in.

“It also reflects the utterly chaotic manner in which the unit on Integration in the Department operates and the serious lack of planning for relocation. Critical questions have to be asked about why the contract with the student accommodation operator is being terminated early.

“Today I met approximately 50 of the Ukrainian residents there. They showed me letters from school principals and GPs about the trauma and anxiety that some of the young and older persons are currently experiencing.

“On the third anniversary of the Ukrainian war, the irony is not lost on us that while Government are saying they stand by the Ukrainian people, their actions in Dublin 1 are causing immense distress.

“Many of the residents have tried desperately to access private rented accommodation but are completely priced out. There is now a vicious circle in that Ukrainians who are highly skilled in their own professions are being blocked and delayed in working here and are thus confined to low paying jobs.

“Minister O’Callaghan and Minister Brophy must intervene and delay all relocation of Ukrainian residents until the end of the school year.”