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Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022

Tuesday, 29 March 2022

Questions (495, 504, 509)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

495. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the International Protection Accommodation Services have established a presence at Cork Airport. [16421/22]

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Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

504. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the accommodation that will be provided for Ukrainian refugees in Cork; if details will be provided of the hotels, bed and breakfasts and other accommodation providers in the area excluding private residences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16032/22]

View answer

Seán Sherlock

Question:

509. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the International Protection Accommodation Services have established a presence at Cork Airport. [16423/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 495, 504 and 509 together.

My Department is providing accommodation to Ukrainian refugees. A dedicated Ukraine Unit is being established to manage the provision of accommodation and related services to Ukrainian refugees.

We have established a dedicated team at Dublin airport that meet new arrivals from Ukraine, with teams from several Departments – Social Protection, Health, Justice and my own. Alongside this, we are participating in hubs in Cork and Limerick cities, led by the Department of Social Protection to support new arrivals. Wexford County Council is supporting my Department in terms of a presence at Rosslare Port. We have specifically prepared reception areas and they include designated spaces for children and adults and quiet spaces.

Deputy, please see below figures detailing total arrivals to Ireland (Ukrainians and 3rd country nationals) as of 25 March:

Entry point

Dublin Airport

Dublin Port

Cork Airport

Rosslare Port

Shannon Airport

Other Ports/ Airports

TOTAL

Arrivals

10,112

126

237

1,044

509

29

12,057

Over the past month, we have been contracting hotel accommodation, including in Cork. We will shortly begin the process of moving people into pledged accommodation, including in Cork. At this time, county-by-county data is not available.

My Department has engaged with the Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland, B&B Ireland, the Defence Forces, the Health Services Executive (HSE) and higher education institutions to identify additional sources of accommodation supply and buildings that could potentially be repurposed for use to accommodate refugees.

Local Authorities have completed a survey for the Department of Housing of buildings in their local areas that could be repurposed for this purpose. My Department is working actively with the Department of Housing and the City and County Management Association (CCMA) to extend the supply of buildings with the potential to accommodate refugees.

The CCMA has also worked with local authorities to prepare emergency accommodation for use if there are sudden spikes in the numbers arriving. Refugees have been moved into this emergency accommodation particularly at weekends when the number of arrivals is particularly high.

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