Russia's president has threatened the West with nuclear weapons if it continues to - in his view - "blackmail" his country following his invasion of Ukraine.

Older Person's Minister Mary Butler says some operators appear to be closing their current businesses in favour of accommodating Ukrainian refugees.

The Department is currently in the process of contacting property owners across the country who operate or have accommodation suitable to house refugees.

Nationally there are now over 48,000 Ukrainians settled in Ireland who fled the conflict.

Contracts worth almost €100m were signed by various providers across the country.

Custume Barracks is not one of the locations under consideration for a temporary refugee centre.

The accomodation crisis will see many students in Ireland struggling to find anywhere to rent come this September

The buildings will be restored and brought back into use to serve a new function.