Mayo families hosting 993 displaced Ukrainians

There are currently 993 Ukrainian guests living in 409 host homes across Mayo.

This figure represents 21% of the total number of Ukrainians who have arrived in the county since the invasion of Ukraine almost two-years-ago.

Nationally, 25% of all arrivals from Ukraine are currently living in host homes or pledged accommodation. 

This week, a survey by Helping Irish Hosts, revealed that 92% of people hosting Ukrainians have had a positive experience and 76% would recommend hosting to someone else.

One host, Kathleen McKiernan, said: "Being a host has been one of the best things our family has done. When all this started we felt that we needed to do something, and we had a spare bedroom, so we contacted Helping Irish Hosts and the process was straightforward after that.”

While sharing her home comes with challenges, McKiernan said, ‘being able to give our guest a sense of security and base from which to start her journey here in Ireland has been truly rewarding’.

This research was presented by Helping Irish Hosts and the Irish Red Cross to Oireachtas members at a briefing in Leinster House last Wednesday, January 31.

Angie Gough, CEO and Co-Founder of Helping Irish Hosts, said: "The research reaffirms everything we’ve seen over the past 22 months. Hosting is having an incredible impact - for the hosts, their guests and also their communities”. 

Ms Gough acknowledged that while ‘it’s not the right option for everyone’ and not a long-term solution, it offers ‘a key integration opportunity for people seeking refuge in this country’. 

The Consortium of organisations responsible for activating pledged accommodation is still receiving around 300 accommodation pledges per month.

The briefing to Oireachtas members heard that the savings to the taxpayer are in the region of €386 million annually, when compared to state accommodation. 

“Our priority is to nurture the host response as a significant part of the refugee accommodation solution, while acknowledging its limitations and advocating for the changes needed to sustain it” Ms Gough added.

At the briefing this week, the group presented recommendations to the Government and offered resources to support constituents and communities that are hosting. 

Some of the key recommendations which were outlined included extending the proposed 90-day policy for new arrivals to reduce the risk of harm to already vulnerable groups, and widening the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) to include Programme Refugees who have been granted status in Ireland.

Ms Gough said: “We know that 76% of people were motivated to host out of solidarity, or compassion. This is hugely inspiring, but we also know that the monthly ARP is a fundamental and brilliant tool in facilitating and sustaining hosting.”

“From our conversations with hosts, it’s clear that there is a strong will in this community to extend the welcome currently being shown to Ukrainians, to all refugees. Alongside our Consortium partners, we are ready to draw on the current frameworks in place to pilot this approach” she concluded.

The Host Survey report and full Oireachtas briefing presentation can be accessed on the Helping Irish Hosts website.