Ballinasloe area councillors have demanded more funding from Government to help with the integration of Ukrainian migrants into the town.

Some 256 residents who fled war in Ukraine, living in 64 rapid-build modular homes in Ballinasloe, are said to have ‘settled in well’ but County Councillors said more funding was needed.

The Government also came under fire for not communicating with elected representatives about the arrival of migrants into communities in East Galway, including Glenamaddy.

Jenifer Swannock of Galway County Council’s Integration Team gave an update to the September Ballinasloe Municipal District meeting about the number of migrants living in County Galway.

As of August, there were 269 International Protection Applicants in six centres; and a total of 1,744 Beneficiaries of International Protection (the official term for migrants fleeing Ukraine) living in 55 centres across the county.

In addition, there were 165 ‘Offer A Home’ residents living in 49 homes, where homeowners get tax free rent payments to house Ukrainians.

There were also 239 Programme Refugees, including from Afghanistan and Syria, staying in 53 households across the county.

In Ballinasloe, the 256 Ukrainians living in 64 modular homes in Poolboy were said to have “settled in well”, according to Ms Swannock.

There were a further 51 Ukrainians living in one BOTP centre in Ballinasloe plus 41 living in 14 Offer A Home houses.

Director of Services, Jacqueline Carroll praised Councillors for leadership they had shown around the modular homes plan for Ballinasloe.

She said 3% of Ballinasloe’s population were recent arrivals, and the area had caught up with other Municipal Districts across Galway.

Councillor Alan Harney said Ballinasloe was getting just €85,000 from the Community Recognition Fund, which was insufficient. It was his understanding that a larger pot of funding was to be made available to help with integration in Ballinasloe.

Councillor Evelyn Parsons said the local community had welcomed new arrivals.

Fears that migrants might impact the availability of already stretched health services, have been allayed after it was confirmed that GP services based in Galway City will be provided to Ballinasloe’s Ukrainians, she said.

Councillor Peter Keaveney said there was a group of over 50 Ukrainian migrants living in Glenamaddy that was not included in the presentation. He said they had settled in well and were welcomed, but as an elected representative he did not get notice they were coming.

He said it was important elected representatives were briefed, and Cathaoirleach of the Ballinasloe MD, Michael Connolly agreed, saying the vacuum of information was leading to misinformation which causes problems.

Councillors Declan Geraghty and Dermot Connolly asked if buses transporting Ukrainians to schools could also transport Irish children who do not have buses. This would be true integration, they said, and would solve another problem.

Ms Swannock said the Integration Team at County Hall has held 60 meetings and information sessions, 45 stakeholder meetings, and 14 community events.

Pictured: The Modular Housing at Poolboy, Ballinasloe, that is home to Ukrainian refugees. Pic Gerry Stronge