A Community Response Forum has been established in every local authority across the country, including Wicklow County Council, Chaired by Chief Executive, Brian Gleeson, to coordinate the community-led response in the provision of assistance and support to Ukrainian refugees as they are accommodated in County Wicklow.
The Forum will bring together state, private, community and voluntary organisations acting at local level in response to this emergency. An Internal Response Team has also been set up by the Council to respond to the crisis locally.
Each Local Authority has been asked to establish a community facility/facilities to provide emergency beds for arriving refugees. Wicklow county Council is responding to this request through its Internal Response Team.
As part of this request, received on the 31st of March and reflecting the national urgency, Wicklow County Council has initiated the set-up of emergency contingency beds temporarily at Coral Leisure Centre Arklow. The Swimming Pool and Gym Facility at the Centre remain open.
While it is regrettable that this emergency response measure has had an affect on a small number of businesses at the facility the council will continue to liaise with the businesses affected.
The Council is committed to delivering on the humanitarian response to the people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland. Outside of the accommodation established at Coral Leisure Centre, the Council has also secured emergency accommodation for refugees across the County in hotels and guest houses.
