Ukrainian families in Dublin 1 treated cruelly by Department of Integration
- Labour’s Marie Sherlock demands Fianna Fáil intervenes to ensure dignified and humane treatment of families.
- Families given 36 hours’ notice to move – 120 work or attend school locally.
- Letters from Department stating that families and children will be separated.
Labour’s Marie Sherlock TD has expressed her outrage following news that many Ukrainian refugees in Dublin’s North Inner City have received correspondence from the Department of Integration that they must leave their accommodation within 36 hours.
Deputy Sherlock has written to Minister Norma Foley and Minister Jim O’Callaghan to directly intervene.
Deputy Sherlock said:
“There are over 70 Ukrainian refugees in this accommodation who are working, another 50 attending local schools and others attending health appointments. To give these people just 36 hours’ notice of moving is insanity. It must be stopped.
“This is inhumane and unbelievable. The shotgun nature of the move is clear, with the Department informing many families that parents and their children will be accommodated in different counties. One elderly woman confined to a wheelchair, 89, was informed that she will be separated from her husband.
“I sincerely hope that this communication was an error. However, even if I am to give the Department the benefit of the doubt on this, it is utterly shameful that the communication from the Department could be so distressing and so cruel.
“This is shocking treatment of refugees who have set down roots in our community in Dublin 1, and far below the standards we should expect from Government. It is utterly symbolic of the shotgun nature of the moves by the Department, as Norma Foley waits to pass the can to Jim O’Callaghan.
“In a week where globally the Irish diaspora is being celebrated, for our State to act so appallingly is truly unbelievable.
“I have written directly to both Ministers today to intervene and ensure much more dignified treatment of these Ukrainians.”