533 Ukrainian refugees in Tipp

Nenagh Electoral Area home to highest number

Figures released by the Central Statistics Office last week indicated that Tipperary had taken in 533 refugees from the war in Ukraine.

The CSO data looked at Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) issued to individuals from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive activated by the EU on March 4. Analysing the country's Local Electoral Areas, it showed that Nenagh LEA had the highest number of new arrivals in Tipperary, with 144 Ukrainians present. The Thurles LEA had 80, while Roscrea-Templemore had 46 and Newport had six.

In the south of the county, Cashel-Tipperary had 79 Ukrainian refugees, Clonmel had 71, while Carrick-on-Suir and Cahir LEAs had 58 and 49 respectively.

A large number of those in Nenagh are staying at the Abbey Court Hotel, where ‘Fáilte Isteach’ English conversation classes began in May. These are organised by North Tipperary Development Company and are fully led by volunteers, who support people and encourage them to use broken English with confidence. Providing a space to build relationships with locals, the workshops also involve an online option.

NTDC has invited several local services to come and speak to the Ukraine group about supports available to them. These include the Silver Arch Family Resource Centre, Nenagh Community Training Centre, the Irish Red Cross and An Garda Síochána.

Tipperary Education and Training Board is also helping locally-based Ukrainians with access to education and support to help them integrate and avail of employment opportunities.

Several Ukrainians have enrolled for courses at Nenagh Community Training Centre; the courses, which will commence in September, include hair & beauty, woodcraft and IT.

And many of the new Ukrainian children in Nenagh have been attending primary and secondary schools.

Local woman Patrica Ahern, who has been involved in welcoming refugees to Nenagh since the outbreak of the war, wanted to thank principals Damien Kennedy of Nenagh College, Peadar O'Dwyer at St Mary's Convent Primary School, William Greene at the CBS and John Gunnell of St Mary's Junior Boys School for their efforts in integrating the new arrivals.

The CSO figures were the first publication by the office providing insights into Ireland’s response to the Ukrainian crisis. It found that there were 33,151 arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland by the week ending May 22, of which 29% were aged 14 or under.

Women aged 20 and over accounted for 48% of the arrivals from Ukraine. The highest percentage of those arriving (43%, or 14,271 individuals) were categorised as 'one parent with children'.

North Inner City in Dublin was the LEA with the highest number of those fleeing the conflict with 1,156 individuals, followed by Ennistimon in County Clare with 1,118.

The CSO figures are to be interpreted as estimates; they do not include, for example, the number of persons who have arrived from Ukraine and may not yet have received a PPSN; the figures may also include those who received a PPSN earlier in the crisis but are no longer resident in the State.