The Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland has confirmed that Ukrainian people are being told that the Irish Government cannot guarantee they will be accommodated here.
Larysa Gerasko was visiting the Tiglin Center in Greystones, Co Wicklow, where 109 Ukranian people are currently living.
The Ambassador said she wanted to "underline" her gratitude to the Irish Government and Irish people for welcoming Ukrainian people here and providing them with accommodation "under such horrible circumstances".
She said that the Embassy is aware of the accommodation problem in Ireland and that efforts have been made to communicate this with Ukrainian people who may be thinking of coming here.
"I recorded a video message for Ukrainians and we shared on Ukrainian media and on our social media of our embassies, the information that the Irish government cannot guarantee accommodation for Ukrainians because of lack or absence of such accommodations," Ms Gerasko said.
The ambassador said she asked Ukrainians to consider planning to go to other countries.
Her remarks come as the Government announced new measures to address the accommodation shortages.
Ms Gerasko met with the people who have made Tiglin their home since March.
She said that they were very happy there and that Tiglin was one of the best examples there is of Irish communities welcoming Ukrainian people.
Local TD and Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris was at the event in Wicklow today, and said that Government was trying to move from the immediate emergency response to the crisis, to a more sustainable approach.
Minister Harris said government had to be honest with people, that this is an "extremely challenging" situation, and the numbers arriving were unprecedented.
The measures include the expansion of the refurbishment and modular homes programmes, and moving to an "accommodation only" system, where Ukrainian refugees must pay for their own food and other day to day expenses.
The recognition payment for people providing properties as part of the effort will also double to €800, along with a fresh call out for vacant properties to be made available.
Government said this call would be led by Local Authorities, "to ensure more rapid turnaround of the mobilisation of the offers from the public".
Read more: Cabinet approves measures for refugee beds, community funding
System 'too complex'
However, the Chair of the Irish Red Cross has criticised the current system used to activate public pledges.
Pat Carey said that offers of accommodation are still coming in to the Irish Red Cross.
"The system is probably too complex, but that is being simplified," he said.
There are "too many agencies involved" in the process, he added, and sometimes pieces of information can get lost, and that is why people who made pledges may say they never heard back from their Local Authority or from the Red Cross.
"I think all organisations could try to be a bit more nimble, and the work will get done", he said.
Ms Gerasko met with the people who have made Tiglin their home since March, many of whom have fled occupied territories, have lost family members in the war, or whose husbands are fighting on the frontline.
She said that they were very happy there and that Tiglin was one of the best examples there is of a irish communities welcoming Ukranian people.
Thirty-year-old Liza Yelyzaveta is one of them.
She was one of the first to arrive at the Tiglin centre, having fled while pregnant, and with a three-year-old son in tow.
Her new baby Polinna was born just two months ago, but her partner has not been able to see her.
"Only on facetime. It's really hard for him, because he never hold her. It's for me hard, because I haven't his help," she said.
Her son Alex goes to montessori in Greystones.
"He's safe and it's OK. He really wants to see his daddy and his grannies," Ms Yelyzaveta said.
She added that her accommodation is the perfect place for families with kids, and the people who work there are "amazing".
Ambassador Gerasko officially opened a new games room at Tiglin, that has been donated by local donors.
Aubrey McCarthy, voluntary chair of Tiglin, which is a homeless charity, said the ambassadors visit was hugely important to the residents.
"That is their connection to home, that is everything", he said.
Meanwhile, the Government will move to reassess how it assigns housing for Ukrainian refugees seeking asylum in Ireland.
Yesterday the Cabinet signed off on a range of measures to increase the supply of accommodation for refugees.
Minister of State at the Department of Finance Seán Fleming said the change is due to Ukrainian refugees staying in the country for longer than expected.
"What's emerging, as the months have gone by, is many of these people won't be quickly going back to Ukraine and now they’re going to be here for a much longer period than was anticipated when the war started," he said.
Min. of State at the Dept of Finance @SeanFlemingTD discusses what happens if a Ukrainian refugee doesn't take up a first offer of accommodation. pic.twitter.com/l3kaG5shl3
— Saturday RTÉ (@SaturdayRTE) October 29, 2022
The Fianna Fáil TD for Laois-Offaly said the State has to "deal with them in terms of normal mainstream accommodation for people who need housing" such as the public housing list.
Mr Fleming said people on the housing list who refuse accommodation are not offered an alternative immediately.
"In those situations, anyone on the housing list in Ireland does get an offer of accommodation, you won't get an offer the following week if you don’t like your first offer but you will get one in due course," Mr Fleming said.
