Viktor Sheremet, Olha’s husband, is diagnosed with gastric cancer and requires a specialised diet, prepared by Olha. Olha communicated this via a translating application, in their residence in Blackrock, County Dublin. Tearfully, she shares images of her son, clad in a military uniform, with a weapon in hand, fighting on Ukraine’s battlegrounds. She manages to speak with him once every month.
Olha relays the hardship of their situation as elderly individuals, stating that staying in a hotel isn’t feasible, as all necessary amenities such as the hospital and health centre are conveniently located close to their current accommodation. She forms part of a group of 29 Ukrainians residing in South Dublin’s Blackrock, who have received notice that on Monday morning, three buses will arrive to relocate them.
As per the strategies drawn up by the Department of Integration, this group, that has been residing in the property since December 2022, will be segmented and relocated to three distinctive hotels situated near Citywest, Liffey Valley and Temple Bar.
The group exhibits a diversity of ages, with eight children enrolled in local schools – five in elementary, one in high school and two in preschool. Having resided there for two years, they have created a close-knit community. Quite a number have employment in areas like building, healthcare, pharmacy, and cleaning, whereas others are advancing their education or learning English to validate their qualifications in Dublin.
Diana Tkachuk, a 31-year-old from Sverdlovsk, who resides there with her six-year-old child Alisa, vocalises the group’s collective hope for stabilisation in the upcoming week, given the effort they’ve undertaken to establish their lives in this neighbourhood.
Natalia Mishchenko, a 44-year-old nurse hailing from Mariupol, regales with tales of her prior occupation whilst showing videos of the local hospital she worked at before it was destroyed in March 2022. Currently, she keeps herself busy at a nearby fuel station and is studying with the hopes of returning to her former career of nursing. Natalia’s daughter, Varvara, is cultivating friendships with her peers, including Alisa, as part of the local camogie club.
Ms Tkachuk, a local florist, highlights the significant role this region plays in their lives. She articulates her concern about the potential problems the community could face, such as language barriers and the lack of support, due to their impending relocation. Natalia is not fearful for herself, but she worries for her daughter who will need to adjust to an entirely new environment, like they did when they initially arrived. The overwhelming feelings of dismay and shock among everyone is evident.
Ramziia Zidliaieva, a 66-year-old economist from Crimea, refuses to leave her home on Monday morning, risking homelessness. Ramziia is determined to stay put because she feels a deep connection with the house and nurtures an immense admiration for the local individuals who have been fighting for them. She is profoundly grateful for the sense of family and community that she has found here.
Her son’s employer, based in Dún Laoghaire, has written to the local department in appeal, pleading to rethink the decision of the relocation – a call echoed by the Blackrock Community Alliance.
The Carysfort National School has put in notable effort to create a secure environment for the families and regrets that the resulting upheaval could affect the mental health of the children who have become integrated into the local community.
The families were first informed of this unsettling news on the 2nd of September, just as the children were starting their new academic year. The department attributes this decision to the reduced influx of Ukrainian refugees, which allows them to manage their accommodation better.
A subsequent communication notified the residents about buses scheduled to show up on Monday morning. The notice underscored that those declining the accommodation offer wouldn’t receive further proposals and wouldn’t be able to avail the Citywest Transit Hub facilities either. The notification pointed out the necessity of these measures to secure accommodation for everyone in need.
Residents reached out to the concerned department, requesting a rethink on the decision or at least a delay until other options could be sorted, either via privately rented spaces or host families, though such commitments haven’t been made so far. The majority are declining to get on the buses, in the hope of reaching an agreement in the ensuing days.
The property owner, who desired anonymity for themself and the exact location of the housing, stated that the department turned down the request for an extension that would have facilitated a smooth transition to private accommodation in the neighborhood or the existing property.
Attempts to apply for rent allowances in hopes of continuing as private tenants have also been rejected by the Department of Social Protection because it deemed the property not conducive for their requirements.
A representative for the Department of Integration indicated that contracts are being terminated frequently and every endeavour is dedicated to keeping those being relocated as local as they can. “At all times the department was clear that state-funded housing is transient and subject to fluctuations,” he explained.