Old HSE HQ to become rest centre for Ukrainian refugees
The former HSE building on the Navan Road in Kells is undergoing refurbishment to turn it into a temporary rest centre for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war in their country.
It will replace the facility in the Meath Civil Defence headquarters in Navan that was in operation since the outbreak of the war early last year.
The rest centre in Navan accommodated families and individuals arriving in Ireland from the war, for very short periods of time, while more permanent accommodation was sourced for them throughout the country.
The Meath Civil Defence HQ in Navan is no longer considered suitable and it will be re-occupied by that organisation, to continue with the essential services their volunteers provide on an ongoing basis throughout County Meath.
Kells Councillor Sean Drew said he had visited the rest centre in the Civil Defence HQ on a number of occasions last year.
"I was humbled by the efforts and work undertaken there in providing humanitarian assistance to those Ukrainian refugees, mainly the young, elderly and families arriving in Ireland from their war torn country."
Cllr Drew requested information for Meath County Council regarding the operation of the temporary rest centre in Kells.
According to the council "the building will be operated as a rest centre. This is a similar facility that was run by the Civil Defence during the Spring and Summer, however that facility was not suitable for the colder autumn and winter months, so the old HSE offices was identified as a more suitable facility.
"The lease on the HSE building is for two years. It is anticipated that there will be a maximum of 120 people at any one time accommodated in the building. The guests in the rest centre will be from Ukraine and to date, 52,000 Ukrainians are currently provided with accommodation by the State (latest figures are from December).
"Of these 63 per cent are female and 37 per cent are male and of the male figure, 40 per cent are under 18. Based on these figures and our previous experience in the Civil Defence rest centre, it is anticipated that the majority of people utilising the rest centre will be single parent families or elderly couples.
"As this is only a temporary accommodation measure, the people staying in the rest centre will only be staying for short periods of time while waiting for a more permanent accommodation solution elsewhere."
Meath County Council is managing the delivery of the refurbishment works, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is covering the costs associated with the leasing of the building and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is covering the cost of the upgrade works.
Meath County Council will manage the running of the facility when the upgrade works are complete, and all costs associated with this will be recoupable from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. It is anticipated that the building will be ready for receiving guests in April.
Cllr Drew said that based on the information provided to him by MCC, it’s clear that the centre will house Ukrainian refugees only and that the vast majority will be women and children.