Refugees from Moldova here as soon as possible - Dept

The Department of Justice has said that it will fulfil a pledge to take 500 Ukrainian refugees from Moldova "as soon as possible".

Earlier today the Moldovan Ambassador to Ireland said that the commitment has not yet been fulfilled.

Larisa Miculeț told TDs and Senators that her country has already accepted 95,000 refugees.

She requested a meeting with the Department of Justice to discuss Ireland's pledge to accept 500 Ukrainians, however no date has been set.

"I do not have reply yet, I hope it is coming," she said.

She said that efforts to organise a meeting with the Department to discuss the matter have proved unsuccessful.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department said that it is working to "identify the necessary resources and to put in place appropriate mechanisms to start giving effect to our pledge as soon as possible."

It added that it "will arrange a meeting with the Moldovan Ambassador to discuss these measures as soon as possible".

The spokesperson said that the immediate priority is to "assist those who have arrived and continue to arrive in Ireland to find safety with access to state supports as needed, as part of a whole of Government response".