Kildare refugee centre 'should be used for key workers like teachers, gardaí and nurses'

An accommodation centre, which provided temporary homes for refugees from the war which followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, should be kept open.

The original site of the designated accommodation centre was opened again  at Newhall, Naas, last October. 

It was set up for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who are fleeing the ongoing war in Ukraine and, according to the Department of Justice, Homeland Affairs and Migration is solely for that purpose. 

The site's designation as a DAC means that new arrivals being accommodated at the centre would only receive a maximum of 90 days accommodation.

It reopened October 16 for a three-month period with an initial maximum capacity of 350 bed spaces.

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The centre was established near Flood’s Cross, roughly between Naas and Newbridge, and is located close to the main route linking the towns.

It closed in March 2025 and had been open for about a year.

The project was managed by Pastures New Ltd, the company associated with the creation of tented-type accommodation for Ukrainians at Stradbally, County Laois, in the wake of the Electric Picnic concert event in 2023.

The company also managed it for the second opening.

An Independent Ireland councillor has called for the centre to remain open for homeless families and key workers.

“Serious questions must now be answered about the significant amount of public money spent opening, closing, reopening and now again closing the Newhall accommodation centre,” he said adding he has asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide full details of the total cost to the taxpayer arising from these repeated decisions. 

“To date no clear answer has been provided. At a time when Ireland is facing an unprecedented housing and homelessness crisis it makes little sense to close a facility that could provide immediate practical support to people in urgent need.”

He said the reported decline in new arrivals from Ukraine seeking state accommodation should not result in valuable accommodation capacity being taken out of use. “Instead the government should act quickly and responsibly to examine how the centre can be repurposed.” 

He said Newhall could play an important role in providing temporary accommodation for families experiencing homelessness as well as essential key workers such as members of gardai, teachers, nurses and other hospital staff “who are currently struggling to secure housing close to their workplaces.”

He added: “We continue to hear about recruitment and retention challenges across critical public services. Access to short term accommodation could form part of a practical and targeted response.

Taxpayers have already funded the development and operation of this facility. It is vital that public investment is used strategically to deliver real and lasting benefit for communities.”

Closing the centre without fully exploring alternative uses would represent a missed opportunity and further undermine public confidence in how resources are planned and managed.

The government must now provide clarity on the costs involved and demonstrate a more coordinated long term approach to accommodation provision that supports both vulnerable households and essential workers.