Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
380. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent of supports that his Department will provide to displaced Ukrainian refugees who travel to Ireland as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13075/22]
View answerFirstly, I would like to assure you that my officials and I are deeply concerned by the ongoing crisis in the Ukraine. We are monitoring the situation closely and My Department has begun to respond quickly and effectively in the event that Ukrainian nationals come to Ireland seeking international protection.
I am liaising with the Cabinet and my EU colleagues to ensure an effective humanitarian response. My Department is working closely with key stakeholders and with the European Commission, other EU Agencies, and Member States, to respond to the arrival of Ukrainian refugees.
As the Deputy will be aware, it is not possible to estimate the number of Ukrainians likely to come to Ireland as the situation remains so volatile. However, I can confirm that accommodation will initially be made available by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department to those Ukrainian nationals who seek international protection in Ireland should they require it.
My officials are actively working to procure accommodation and supports for Ukrainian arrivals to Ireland through hotel accommodation in the first instance and various other accommodation solutions.
In addition, on 18 January 2022, my Department published a request for tender (RFT) to procure additional accommodation. This tender process is a key plank in DCEDIY’s strategy to end reliance on emergency accommodation and will assist in alleviating the accommodation pressures currently being experienced.
The compliance evaluation process is currently underway and it is anticipated that this process will result in additional capacity.
We appreciate that many people may wish to make offers of accommodation to support those persons seeking temporary protection in Ireland. The Government has supported Red Cross to launch a national pledge where offers of accommodation can be pledged.
I wish to assure the Deputy that Ireland will not be found wanting in offering people seeking protection the humanitarian support that they will need.
