Mayo charity Candle of Grace issues urgent appeal for assistance
Mayo charity, Candle of Grace, has issued an urgent appeal to the people of Mayo to become host families for Ukrainian people who have come to the county in search of refuge.
A statement issued by the organisation earlier today outlined: "We at Candle of Grace, on this beautiful Bank Holiday weekend, appeal to you the generous people of Mayo who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us in the past 100 days of the war in Ukraine, to once again dig deep and become host families for the Ukrainian people who have come to Mayo in search of refuge.
"Due to circumstances beyond our control we find that emergency accommodation being used by our Ukrainian friends is no longer available and so we urgently need your assistance as this is a true emergency.
"If you can help on a temporary or more long term basis please contact us at +353871464454 or by email candleofgrace@gmail.com.
"Go raibh míle maith agat!"
RTÉ News reported yesterday that difficulties had emerged regarding accommodation costs for a number of Ukrainian children, who were brought to Ireland by the charity last month.
The Candle of Grace charity evacuated more than 90 children from the Chernobyl area in early May.
According to the report, the Department of Children and Integration has told Mayo County Council that any accommodation arrangements made by the charity, or by the local authority, are not covered by its procurement rules.
As a result, the department will not cover any associated costs.
In a statement to RTÉ News, the department said that accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection is provided according to specific terms, rates and conditions and for an agreed length of time.
Any accommodation procured outside these terms is not funded by the department, the statement outlined.
The founder of Candle of Grace, Lily Luzan, told RTÉ News she has contacted the parents of almost 60 unaccompanied minors who travelled here, to alert them about the latest developments.