Temporary halt in the relocation of Palestinian families to Donegal due to worries about healthcare availability
The planned relocation of a group of Palestinian families from Dublin to Letterkenny, Co Donegal, has been put on hold by the Irish Red Cross due to concerns raised by the mothers about inadequate access to healthcare in the new location.
The group, which includes up to 18 children, their mothers, and younger siblings, arrived in Ireland in December 2024 from Gaza as part of the State's commitment to evacuate up to 30 ill children from Gaza via Egypt. They have been residing in private residential housing in south Dublin.
However, the arrival of the third group of children has been stalled due to concerns over visas for their siblings and worries about healthcare facilities in Letterkenny. The mothers fear that the healthcare facilities in Letterkenny may not meet their children's medical needs.
Consultations with the families reportedly began months earlier, but the mothers felt they were not adequately reassured, leading to resistance against moving so far from established local support systems in Dublin.
The Irish Red Cross has confirmed that the relocation will proceed but has allowed extra time to reassure the families. Children's Health Ireland and local hospitals in Donegal are working to ensure appropriate access to medical and mental health services. Private transport arrangements for specialist appointments in Dublin are also being planned to address these concerns.
The housing unit in Kilkenny, which was recommended by volunteers, is not available until October. The mothers have called for alternative accommodation to be found within a two-hour commute of Dublin.
The Irish Red Cross has engaged with the local Letterkenny integration team, community groups, schools, and creche providers ahead of the mooted move. Arabic-speaking caseworkers will provide "dedicated, wraparound support" to the families.
A separate letter was sent to TDs and local councillors by volunteers working with the mothers, highlighting the energy, resources, and trust building required to build a local south Dublin support network since their arrival.
The mothers are single and have expressed concerns about moving to a distant location, citing lack of support from husbands or extended family. The Irish Red Cross has previously stated that families of children who require ongoing specialist treatment will remain in Dublin.
A new transfer date has not been selected, but the Irish Red Cross is keen to ensure the families are settled into their new accommodation before the school year begins. The Dublin accommodation where the group currently live will become unavailable from September.
[1] Irish Red Cross, (2025). Letter to the mothers regarding the relocation. [2] O'Sullivan, M. (2025). Healthcare concerns delay relocation of Palestinian families from Dublin to Donegal. The Irish Times. [3] O'Neill, C. (2025). Mothers voice concerns over healthcare for sick children in Donegal. RTE News. [4] Murphy, L. (2025). Delay in relocation of Palestinian families raises concerns about healthcare access. The Journal.
- The mothers, fearing inadequate access to medical conditions treatment like chronic kidney disease and cancer in Letterkenny, have voiced their concerns about the planned relocation from Dublin.
- The scheduled move of the Palestinian families to Letterkenny has been delayed due to these healthcare concerns and visas issues for siblings.
- Children's Health Ireland and local hospitals in Donegal are currently working together to guarantee appropriate healthcare facilities, including medical and mental health services, for the affected children.
- The Irish Red Cross is organizing private transport for specialist appointments in Dublin to address these concerns and ensure adequate care.
- The mothers hope to find accommodation within a two-hour commute of Dublin, as the housing unit in Kilkenny is only available from October.
- Therapies and treatments for ongoing conditions like chronic diseases and respiratory conditions, as well as parenting support, are crucial considerations for the mothers' families' well-being.
- The Irish Red Cross has been engaging with local authorities, schools, creche providers, and community groups in Letterkenny to address the families' integration and support needs.
- The implementation of Arabic-speaking caseworkers will provide dedicated, wraparound support to help manage the families' health-and-wellness needs, fitness-and-exercise routines, and overall family-health matters.
