Parochial homes ‘should be refuge for Ukrainians’

Empty parochial homes in Galway parishes that no longer house priests should be used for Ukrainian refugees.

The suggestion was made by County Councillor Jimmy McClearn (FG) during a discussion on the demand for housing as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A local authority meeting heard that between 5,000 and 10,000 refugees may require shelter in County Galway over the coming months.

Cllr Colm Keaveney (FF) said the Council should ask religious orders to make available vacant property, such as boarding schools or convents, for use as temporary accommodation for refugees fleeing war in Ukraine. It would be the Christian thing to do, he said.

Cllr McClearn said it was not just religious institutions that had an obligation to help out, but he agreed that there were many parishes that no longer had priests and had empty parochial houses that could be used by Ukrainians.

Chief Executive of Galway County Council Jim Cullen said the refugee crisis posed “very significant” challenges locally and nationally, and the local authority had a part to play in the national co-ordinated response.

He said that on St Patrick’s Weekend there was “considerable concern” at the numbers arriving in Ireland, and every local authority was asked to book additional emergency accommodation.

The Council has established a Ukrainian refugee response team in its Housing Department, and it sourced 50 rooms on Saturday night and 73 rooms on Sunday night of the bank holiday.

“Fortunately, I don’t think they were called into service but our expenditure will be fully recouped and we would’ve been happy to receive them and will do again if necessary,” he said.

The Council has already inspected some properties to see if they could be brought into service, and how quickly.

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