Estimated 1,335 refugees from Ukraine based in Wicklow

The Central Statistics Office (CSO)'s new ‘Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland' series gives the clearest estimate yet of the number of people who have arrived in Wicklow after fleeing Ukraine.

Of the 1,335 arrivals from Ukraine, the CSO data estimates that 721 individuals are based in the Bray and Greystones area.

The Royal Hotel and Wilton Hotel in Bray are among the locations where people arriving from Ukraine have been accommodated in the Bray area.

Coolnagreina Centre in Greystones, which is operated by Tiglin, is also being used to accommodate refugees from Ukraine.

The analysis uses Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNS) which have been allocated to individuals from Ukraine. The agency said 33,151 PPSNS have been issued issued to people from Ukraine under the Temporary Protection Directive, as of May 22.

The analysis also provides a a breakdown of arrivals by Local Electoral Area (LEA). Of the 1,335 arrivals from Ukraine, 721 of these individuals are based in the Bray and Greystones area.

Statisticians mapped the arrivals to a local post office, which has been used to stand in as a place of residence.

The CSO said 90 per cent of 29,718 individuals were mapped to a local post office address, through which they could seek assistance from the Department of Social Protection, i.e. to collect social welfare payments.

In the Garden County, Bray East is the LEA with the highest number of arrivals from Ukraine at 516 individuals.

The Bray East LEA also had the tenth highest number of arrivals from Ukraine of all 166 LEAs nationwide as of May 22.

The CSO's figures estimate that a further 30 individuals from Ukraine are based in the Bray West LEA. This means that around 546 people from Ukraine are estimated to be in the Greater Bray area, including Enniskerry and Kilmacanogue.

The analysis said 175 individuals from Ukraine are based in the Greystones LEA, with 271 in the Wicklow LEA.

235 individuals were mapped to the Arklow LEA with 108 in the Baltinglass LEA.

The CSO pointed out that the figures are estimates as some people who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine may not be included as they have yet to apply for a PPSNS. The data may also include individuals from Ukraine who received a PPSNS, but have since left Ireland.

An update on the Royal Hotel's website states that the venue has been booked to the end of 2022 and will not be taking new guest reservations.

Meanwhile, hotelier Lorraine Sweeney, proprietor of the Wilton Hotel on the Southern Cross Road in Bray, said on national radio on Friday, May, that one-third of the Wilton's 105 rooms are currently being used to house refugees from Ukraine.

Coral Leisure Centre in Arklow is also being used to provide temporary accommodation to refugees from Ukraine when they arrive in Wicklow.