Many refugees in Roscommon can’t leave state accommodation because of the rental crisis.
Some refugees are also forced to travel over 100 miles for dental care.
As of last September, there were 1,676 Ukrainian refugees living in Roscommon.
A total of 163 were living in state accommodation – in six facilities in Ballaghaderreen, Ballinlough, Roscommon town, Cloonfad and Croghan.
There were also 175 IPAS residents living in Co Roscommon.
At the October meeting of the Roscommon Integration Forum, two Roscommon gardai said ‘fake news and misinformation’ regarding refugees is an issue, particularly on social media.
They said basic factual information is needed going forward.
Financial issues were also raised the meeting, with families going to Boyle Family Resource Centre with issues such as poor footwear.
The meeting also heard a school principal was ‘poaching’ students from the emergency reception and orientation centre for a school several miles away – before the September 30th deadline, which is a critical date for determining school numbers.
The HSE told the meeting dental problems are a challenge, with some refugees having to travel to Galway or Dublin due to a lack of services.
The forum’s January meeting heard from Roscommon County Council about the difficulty refugees have in securing private rental accommodation.
The council said families, who’ve been granted permission to stay in Ireland, can’t afford the high cost of rentals.
The meeting heard a two-bedroom apartment in Castlerea cost €1,500 a month, with social housing support of only €570 available, leaving a ‘very high’ shortfall of €930.
The council also highlighted how refugees don’t have landlord references to provide.
