The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have signed a contract to house Ukrainian refugees in Stradbally for a 32 week period.
Starting on November 6, the site of Electric Picnic, Stradbally Hall, which is owned by Thomas Cosby, will come back on stream for Ukrainian refugees.
The current six week deal elapsed this week and there are no Ukrainians currently housed down there.
In a briefing circulated this afternoon, the Department says that new refugees will be housed in cabins rather than tents.
They say: The Department has signed a new contract for the use of the site at Stradbally Estate, with the accommodation to be available on a phased basis from Monday November 6.
“The contract is for a thirty-two-week period and will have a capacity of 950.
“This winter-ready accommodation on Stradbally Estate consists of own-door, en-suite, heated and insulated cabins, enclosed within large marquee-type structures that are also heated, containing all ancillary facilities. The overall site will be surrounded by
secure fencing.
“The winter-ready accommodation will be located on an area separate from the current tented accommodation, which will be removed once the cabins are ready.
“All statutory requirements relating to the establishment and management of emergency accommodation are being met by the service provider, including health and safety, fire, building regulations and other requirements.
“The safety and security of the BOTP residents is of paramount importance.
“The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will manage the arrival of people into this centre.
“The contract with this site has been signed for a period of thirty-two weeks.”
Reacting to the news, local Cllr Paschal McEvoy says he is shocked by the development.
He said: “I am still processing the news which was just announced by the Department in the past hour.
“I am shocked by it all and will seek further information.”
