THE GAA and other Irish sporting organisations have “responded positively” after being asked if their venues could help house Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion, the Irish Government has said.

More than 43,000 Ukrainians have arrived in the Republic since the outbreak of war, mostly women and children, with the vast majority being housed in serviced accommodation such as hotels and student rooms.

According to a report in the Sunday Business Post, 5,000 beds in student accommodation must be returned in the coming weeks ahead of the new college term.

Yesterday the Department of Sport confirmed it had been tasked by the Department of Children with contacting sporting bodies looking for accommodation.

It comes as the Aviva Stadium was used to temporarily shelter around 100 refugees in July before being moved to alternative accommodation.

In a statement, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media said: "The department made contact with the FAI, GAA, IRFU and Sport Ireland to seek their assistance, on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), in providing emergency short-term accommodation for people seeking humanitarian shelter in Ireland.

"The organisations responded positively to the request and any accommodation offers arising were the subject of direct engagement by DCEDIY with the sports organisations."

There are currently no plans for the arrangement at the Aviva to be extended, but it is believed similar arena-style sporting facilities will be considered for emergency shelter use in the coming months.

It emerged earlier this month the Republic had run out of state accommodation for arriving Ukrainian refugees - resulting in Ukrainians being temporarily housed in tents at the Gormanston military camp in Co Meath.

Sixty refugees were housed at the army camp last week.

The old Dublin Airport terminal was also being used for emergency accommodation, but that ceased last Thursday.

Every day about 130 more Ukrainian refugees arrive in the country.

Religious buildings, modular homes and vacant properties are some of the other accommodation options being considered by the Irish Government.

Repurposing some vacant buildings for long-term use as homes for refugees is under way but it is understood it is proving to be a slow process.

Another issue which is proving to be problematic is finding people to run facilities and provide all the support needed - such as catering, maintenance, security and wellbeing provision for long-term residents.

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