A "pause" has been put on plans to move some 80 Ukrainians from their lodgings in Cahersiveen Co Kerry to make way for international protection applicants.
It follows appeals by local representatives, businesses and a group of individuals and businesses "The concerned people of Cahersiveen and the Wider south Kerry Community" who came together at the weekend.
There are around 200 Ukrainian refugees under a temporary protection order at the Skellig Accommodation Centre, which includes hotel and self catering apartments for family units and singles in the south Kerry town.
Some 40 of the Ukrainian residents were to remain in the area but 40 were also be moved to Tralee at noon on Tuesday. This included around ten school going children who are well settled into schools locally in Cahersiveen.
Appeals by employers, local councillors and the community were made directly this weekend to Minister Roderic O'Gorman and to the Kerry Fianna Fáil TD and Education Minister Norma Foley.
A spokesperson for Minister Foley, said today that "a pause" has been placed on the removal of any of the Ukrainian residents until there is further discussion.
Minister Foley was "more than conscious" of the points raised and had directly intervened with Mr O'Gorman, the spokesperson said.
"Minister O'Gorman has confirmed that no residents will be moved on Tuesday, as previously suggested. This will facilitate further consultation on the matter," the spokesperson confirmed to local representatives and employers.
The Ukrainian provision at the Skellig Accommodation centre previously known as the Skellig Star was on an interim basis, it has also emerged over the weekend.
It had previously been successful in applying to host international protection applicants according to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
The plans to remove them has caused great upset in the community, local Fianna Fáil councillor Norma Moriarity said.
The town has over 400 Ukrainian refugees.
"There are very few towns who have taken a 40 per cent increase in population and made a real success in terms of integration and that didn't happen by accident.
"This has stemmed from a huge level of energy and commitment," Ms Moriarty said referring to both the professional and volunteer input.
There are fears now that much of that spirit will be undermined, she said and the community was appealing to the Minister and his department to "leave well enough alone" and leave the families stay and not undermine the good work that had been done.
Some of the people being moved are working in Cahersiveen, Fianna Fáil Councillor Michael Cahill said.
They are also involved in sporting and social organisations.
'Part of our community'
Local employer Caroline O'Sullivan of Caroline Fox Hair Studios had also this weekend written directly to the ministers appealing to them not to move one of her valuable employees Anya Malomolkina.
Three of her seven employees are Ukrainians and it was difficult in the hairdressing industry to find employees, Ms O'Sullivan had said.
She had also written of the upset being caused by the impending move.
"We are so upset for Anya and her family. Caherciveen is their home now. They are part of our community. They are human beings, not a number. No one should be treated like this," Ms O'Sullivan had also told the Ministers.
Anya and her family had fled Mariupol and arrived in Cahersiveen in March 2022. At first it was a shock for the family to move to such a small town. Previously they had all worked and lived in South Africa and had been back in Ukraine for just three years when all they had was taken from them and destroyed.
But life in Cahersiveen has been good for the family and Anya is particularly happy in her job with clients travelling to her to have their hair styled.
Anya's daughter 10- year-old Alina is now in fourth class and loves going to school.
Alina is looked after by her grandparents Svitlina and Kosta while Anya works at Caroline Fox Hair Studio in Cahersiveen.
"She loves her school. She wants to go to school each day. Now what? Two months from the end of her fourth grade she will have to start all over in a new town?", Anya said
If they were being moved from the Skellig Accommodation Centre to make room for tourists, the family would understand. But they are being moved to make way for other asylum seekers, Anya said.
"They are just swapping us basically. It makes no sense. And when we move to Tralee, and I find a job all over will we be moved again?" Anya asks.
In a statement, on Friday, the Department of Children and Integration said there is now a severe shortage of accommodation for international protection applicants and as such the Skellig Accommodation Centre in Cahersiveen is required in order to prevent asylum seekers from entering homelessness.
It was aware of the impact and such moves only take place where absolutely necessary, it also said.
