Statement regarding temporary closure of Citywest Transit Hub to new arrivals

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is now accommodating over 58,000 people (42,000 Ukrainian, 16,000 International Protection). This figures compares with 7,250 at this time last year.

The significant increase in the number of people seeking accommodation in recent weeks has resulted in the Citywest Transit Hub reaching capacity.

In the interests of the welfare of those presently at Citywest awaiting accommodation, a decision has now been taken to pause arrivals to the transit hub until numbers can reduce.

In the interim, the following will apply:

• entry to Citywest (for both IP and Ukrainians) will be paused and kept under review
• those arriving at the airport may have to wait there if arriving overnight, where supports will be provided to them by an NGO
• should capacity become available, entry to Citywest will be prioritised for families and those with vulnerabilities where this is possible
• for those arriving into the country as IP applicants or claiming Temporary Protection, if accommodation is not immediately available for them, communications with them will continue and supports will be offered through NGOs where possible
• all those who have alternative accommodation options are asked to avail of these, including pledged accommodation and to not attend Citywest presently

The department is working urgently across Government and with agencies, NGOs and local authorities to bring new accommodation on board so that the State’s humanitarian responsibilities can be met to both IPs and those from Ukraine. Officials from the department also briefed the Ukrainian Embassy today.

However, access to suitable accommodation is severely constrained. Current projections indicate a shortfall of 15,000 beds by December as the number of Ukrainians and IP applicants arriving is expected to remain at elevated levels.

To date, the department has contracted approximately 25% of hotel beds in Ireland, alongside hostels, guest houses, pledged accommodation, sports stadiums, scout facilities, tented accommodation and modular units. It continues to work to explore all suitable offers as it has done since March 2022.