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At least 2,500 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Ireland so far with more set to arrive later Wednesday, Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee said.
Speaking to reporters at the Dublin Airport on Wednesday, McEntee said the Irish government is trying to process the arrivals "as quickly as possible" and "provide what they need to them."
Ireland has opted into the EU initiative to offer refugee's temporary protection, waiving visa requirements for up to three years.
At least two thirds of the Ukrainian arrivals are female, the justice minister said, adding that one third of all arrivals have sought out temporary accommodation.
"There's a lot of children coming in, so we have rooms, with toys with cots with cartoons on. You know, people have traveled for days, they're exhausted, they have gone through a very traumatic experience," McEntee told Irish radio station Newstalk in an interview Wednesday.
Irish Department of Justice officials are present in the airport greeting refugees and working with them to secure national identity numbers and accommodation, according to Roderic O'Gorman, Irish Minister for Equality.
O'Gorman told Irish radio station RTÉ Radio 1 Tuesday that the Irish government is setting up a dedicated unit under his department to deal with Ukrainian refugees.
Ireland has "significantly expanded" its short-term hotel capacity, O'Gorman said, stressing that hotel accommodation remains the "short term response" to the issue.
The Irish government recognizes the need for "a long-term response as well," adding that there is more work to be done before bringing proposals to the government.