Carlow sees over three-hundred Ukrainian guests currently living in host homes

In Carlow, there are currently 334 guests living in 171 host homes. This represents 22% of the total number of Ukrainians who have arrived in the county since the invasion of Ukraine. Nationally, 25% of all arrivals from Ukraine are currently living in host homes or pledged accommodation. 

Local Carlow host, Sheila Kenny, says 'My husband and I have hosted two Ukrainian families since April 2022. With our current guests Kateryna and her daughter Elisa (6), it’s just been a pleasure. They’ve become part of our family. While it's been a joy for us to have them, we see the tears and we see how hard they’re trying to stay positive through a very difficult situation. Elisa’s daddy is still in Ukraine. She’s just like any 6 year old, full of love and divilment. She’s settled into the national school here really well and both are working really hard to improve their English. Elisa has adopted us as her grandparents. It’s just been a very positive experience all round, albeit with difficult days too.'

This week, a survey shows that 92% of people hosting Ukrainians have had a positive experience and 76% would recommend hosting to someone else. The research was presented by Helping Irish Hosts and the Irish Red Cross to Oireachtas members at a briefing in Leinster House on Wednesday, 31 January.

Angie Gough, CEO and Co-Founder of Helping Irish Hosts, says 'The research reaffirms everything we’ve seen over the past 22 months. Hosting is having an incredible impact - for the hosts, their guests and also their communities. While it’s not the right option for everyone and it’s not a long-term solution, it does offer a key integration opportunity for people seeking refuge in this country. Our priority is to nurture the host response as a significant part of the refugee accommodation solution, while acknowledging its limitations and advocating for the changes needed to sustain it.'

The Consortium of organisations responsible for activating pledged accommodation is still receiving around 300 accommodation pledges a month. The briefing to Oireachtas members also heard that the savings to the taxpayer are in the region of €386 million annually, when compared to state accommodation. 

At the briefing this week, the group presented recommendations to Government and offered resources to support constituents and communities that are hosting. Key asks included extending the proposed 90-day policy for new arrivals to reduce the risk of harm to already vulnerable groups, and widening the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) to include Programme Refugees who have been granted status in Ireland.

Angie Gough stated 'We know that 76% of people were motivated to host out of solidarity, or compassion. This is hugely inspiring but we also know that the monthly ARP is a fundamental and brilliant tool in facilitating and sustaining hosting. From our conversations with hosts, it’s clear that there is a strong will in this community to extend the welcome currently being shown to Ukrainians, to all refugees. Alongside our Consortium partners, we are ready to draw on the current frameworks in place to pilot this approach.'

The Host Survey report and full Oireachtas briefing presentation can be accessed here: https://www.helpingirishhosts.com/post/lessons-learned-from-hosting 

The Consortium is a partnership that is funded by DCEDIY and led by the Irish Red Cross, comprising Helping Irish Hosts, Peter McVerry Trust and IOM, to activate pledged accommodation on behalf of the Irish State and to retain and extend host arrangements.