Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 November 2022
54. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a national schedule on a county basis of properties he has identified in the context of the European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022 in respect of accommodating persons [55783/22]
View answer58. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a schedule of the properties his Department is progressing and-or developing that have been identified to accommodate persons from Ukraine and or seeking international protection on a county basis [55786/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 58 together.
The European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022 (S.I. 306 of 2022), which came into effect on the 23rd of June 2022 give effect to Council Directive No 2001/55 EC and Council Implementing Decision EU 2022/382 of 4 March 2022, to provide immediate protection in EU countries for persons displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including the need to provide emergency accommodation and support to these displaced persons.
To that end, my Department is continuing to work closely with local authorities and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) to identify, refurbish, and bring into use, multi-unit vacant properties that may be suitable and available for accommodation purposes for beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine.
In cases where vacant buildings identified as part of the initial request to local authorities do not require, or are not suitable for refurbishment, they have been notified to the DCEDIY for appropriate follow-up.
Noting that many of these buildings are privately owned, it would be inappropriate to publish the details of individual buildings. Final decisions on whether such properties progress for use, including whether they are suitable for refurbishment or conversion into multi-unit emergency accommodation for Ukrainian refugees are made by DCEDIY with input from my Department.
