Number of Ukrainian refugees in state accommodation in Mayo falls again

THE number of Ukrainian refugees in short-term state accommodation in Mayo has fallen by more than 700.

As of October 20, there were 1,422 Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) living in short-term state-provided accommodation in Mayo. This includes 825 females and 597 males. Of these, 426 are under 18.

On June 18, 2,139 Ukrainian refugees in Mayo were in receipt of state accommodation. The number of Ukrainians in accommodation supported by the Department of Children, Disabilities, Equality, Integration and Youth fell by 2,137 nationwide between September 20 and October 20. 

This comes as the number of Ukrainian refugees living in pledged private accommodation in Mayo has risen to over 1,500.

There are now 1,553 Ukrainians living with property owners in receipt of the €800 monthly Accommodation Recognition Payment - up from 1,235 on June 2, giving Mayo the sixth-highest number out of 26 counties. A total of 21,196 Ukrainians have been accommodated to date through the Offer A Home scheme, which is coordinated by local authorities.

In the past year, payments to Ukrainian refugees living in Ireland have been slashed. State accommodation can now only be received for 90 days before BOTPs must source their own accommodation.

The latest ‘Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland Series’ publication from the CSO shows that PPS numbers have been provided to over 4,800 refugees with addresses in Mayo since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

This does not reflect the true number of Ukrainian refugees in Mayo, given that some have since moved out of the county or returned to Ukraine.

These include a number of refugees who relocated to other parts of Ireland after Hotel Westport did not renew its government contract to accommodate refugees. The hotel is currently undergoing renovations as part of plans initially announced in 2021.

Ukrainian refugees have the right to reside and work in EU countries as Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. The directive was extended until March 2026 by a European Council vote in June.

There are 534 Ukrainian children enrolled in Mayo primary schools for the current academic year while 349 are enrolled in the county’s secondary schools.