Up to five centres in Co Longford, which house Ukrainian refugees, could be closed down over the next year. It's after the government announced it's to begin withdrawing state accommodation from Ukrainians. Around 16,000 Ukrainian live in state provided accommodation centres around the country, such as hotels. But the government is to begin withdrawing this accommodation, on a phased basis, this August. The properties will be returned to tourism and the private rental market.
There are five such centres in Longford, accommodating Ukrainian refugees. A further 351 Ukrainians are living in properties in Co Longford, under the Offer a Home Scheme. This sees property owners given €600 a month to allow a refugee to live in their home. But the government is also to wind down this scheme in the final four months of this year and end is completely next March.
