More long-term non-hotel accommodation is needed to house Ukrainian refugees.

That's the view of Doras, an organisation working to support and promote migrant rights, which says there's an over-reliance on the hospitality sector to provide shelter.

It welcomes the housing of Ukrainian refugees in Croke Park for the next two weeks.

Some 140 people will stay in the stadium, with space for eating and leisure.

They will sleep in the GAA HQ's executive suites, which are usually used for corporate hospitality.

"That's not just for people from Ukraine, that's also for international protection applicants."

The short-term arrangement is restricted by upcoming match fixtures.

Doras CEO John Lannon told Newstalk that the use of 'corporate boxes' to house refugees for a fortnight is nowhere near a solution.

"This highlights, once again, the difficulties being faced by the Department of Children when it comes to ensuring a pipeline of accommodation options", he said.

"And that's not just for people from Ukraine, that's also for international protection applicants."

Tents and hotels

Since Russia’s invasion of their nation, over 60,000 Ukrainians have moved to Ireland and the State has struggled to find appropriate accommodation for many of them.

Some have been housed in school buildings over the Christmas holiday, while others have been put up in tents.

In July of last year, the Department of Sport has asked sporting bodies to house Ukrainian refugees on a temporary basis.

The Aviva stadium was one venue used as temporary accommodation.

In October, around 240 Irish hotels were being used to house asylum seekers and refugees – almost 30% of the country’s overall hotel stock.

Around 250 B&B's and Guesthouses were also being used to accommodate refugees and people seeking international protection.

'No guarantees'

Late last year, then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar described the arrival of so many refugees in Ireland as an “enormous challenge” and said the State could not guarantee them housing.

“We do have to tell people the truth,” he said.

“We have to tell people who might come here from Ukraine or come here from other parts of the world seeking asylum that we have now reached the point where we can no longer guarantee accommodation for everyone who arrives here - and that’s the truth.

“It’s a sad truth but it is the truth.”

Main image shows Citywest hotel in Dublin.