DUBLIN — More than 200 Ukrainian refugees have been issued eviction notices for the second time in three weeks, ordering them to leave their temporary accommodation in Dublin, the Department of Children and Integration confirmed.
Many of the affected families, who had been staying in student housing in Dublin city centre, had previously requested to remain until the summer to allow their children to complete the academic year. While the department briefly paused the move, new letters were sent out yesterday, instructing residents to vacate by Friday.
The notices emphasized that, due to the high demand for housing, specific accommodation requests could not be accommodated. Some families have been assigned to separate locations, with one couple, Inna Matvey and her husband, being moved to an equestrian centre in Co Kildare, while their two children, aged 11 and five, were instructed to relocate to Swords, Co Dublin.
“We are completely down, we don’t understand what’s going on,” Matvey said.
Dublin City Community Cooperative, which has been assisting the refugees, suggested that the apparent separation of children from their parents was likely an error by the department. The letters also stressed that parents are fully responsible for their children in shared accommodation settings.
Most refugees will be relocated to Co Kildare, while a smaller number will be sent to facilities in Swords and Bray, Co Wicklow.
The student accommodation provider has also issued instructions requiring residents to clean their living spaces before departure, including clearing bedrooms and bathrooms, emptying bins, and thoroughly cleaning kitchen appliances.
“You must vacate the complex completely by 7pm on Friday 14th March,” the notice concluded.
A spokesperson for Minister Norma Foley stated that relocations had been temporarily paused where possible, but the student housing provider informed the department that the premises needed to be vacated for repairs and renovations.
“As a result, beneficiaries of temporary protection will be relocated from the student accommodation in the next days,” the spokesperson said, assuring that alternative State-funded housing would be made available to those in need.
