Ukrainian people who have recently settled in Laois are being invited to establish a network and make connections.
Portlaoise Parish are hosting a coffee afternoon at 12pm on Tuesday March 22 in the foyer of the Parish Centre.
The aim of this is to facilitate any Ukrainians that are settled in Portlaoise and for families who have just arrived due to the ongoing crises.
A spokesperson said: “This is an opportunity for them to get to know each other and share information, set up a network etc.
“We are all deeply appalled by what has happened in Ukraine and want to help the people who have come to Laois to escape the war.
“We recognise that some of these people may be feeling isolated in a brand new country and we’d like to offer them the chance to come here on Tuesday.
“They can meet with fellow Ukrainians, set up a network and help get to know other people.
“This is a very informal meeting – a cuppa and a chat – so hopeful as many of our new residents across the county can attend.”
More than 9,000 Ukrainian refugees have arrived into the State so far, according to the latest figures from the Department of Justice.
A total of 657 new arrivals entered the Republic through Dublin Airport and other ports of entry on St Patrick’s Day, while a further 788 arrived on Friday, bringing the total number of Ukrainian refugees in Ireland to 9,109 so far.
The figures have been manually recorded across the country’s ports of entry by the Department of Justice since the visa requirements for Ukrainian nationals were removed.
So far, 90 per cent of Ukrainians who have entered the State have come through Dublin Airport.
Some 20,000 properties have been offered through the Red Cross, and the State has about 2,500 hotel rooms.
Estimates of how many Ukrainian refugees may arrive into the State have ranged from 20,000 to 100,000.
