Leitrim County Council says accommodation must be secured as a matter of urgency

Leitrim County Councillors have stressed the need for clarity on what can be done at local level to assist those refugees fleeing Ukraine on their arrival in Leitrim.

At Monday's Council meeting, Cllr Felim Gurn highlighted the issue noting: “I have been contacted by people asking what we are doing on the ground.”

Cllr Gurn suggested that if the Government is serious about regeneration for our towns and villages then this may be the opportunity to put buildings which have been idle, back into use as temporary accommodation for Ukrainian refugees.

He said that there are a number of properties above businesses in town centres which are not being used, adding these could potentially provide much-needed accommodation.

He said that the only sticking point on this could be planning and he called for emergency legislation to be rolled out.

Cllr Sean McDermott suggested that unused government properties such as closed Garda stations, could also be converted into accommodation.

“There is the former garda station in Glenfarne in my area and that would not be so isolated for families coming to this area as there are buses stopping near there eight times a day,” he noted.
Cllr Brendan Barry backed the call for emergency measures to open up further accommodation options.

“There are already families arriving here. Some came in over the weekend and more are expected this week. Housing was already difficult to find before this but these families have seen their lives destroyed in Ukraine,” he said.

“Two weeks ago they were living normal lives and now their homes and businesses are being destroyed. Women and children are fleeing and their husbands, brothers and fathers are having to remain behind.”

Cllr Mary Bohan described the scenes in Ukraine as “absolutely desperate.”

“The question we are being asked is who do we go to, to secure help and what do we do to help those that are arriving here in Leitrim,” she said. “Whatever accommodation we can secure, it has to be done as a matter of urgency.”

Cllr Justin Warnock praised all involved in recent campaigns seeking donations and goods to help Ukraine.

“I have been humbled by the level of donations made over the past weekend. I think we survived the Famine and it is in our DNA to look after those who are in need,” he said.

Director of Services, Mary Quinn, noted the Irish Red Cross are central to organising a response but acknowledged that the local authority does “not have the full picture yet, but there will be further clarity shortly.”

She asked that anyone who may be able to provide accommodation contact their local councillors who will speak with either herself or the Housing Officer.

“We will update members as soon as further guidance becomes available,” she said, noting that there will have to be decisions made about what is needed in the short, medium and long term to help those arriving.