Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
332. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will update Dáil Éireann on pledges of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees through the Irish Red Cross; if this accommodation is being provided in a timely manner; the reason for delays with regard to refugees actually moving into this pledged accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18923/22]
View answerMy Department is focused on providing accommodation to people fleeing Ukraine where requested. Over 11,000 people have been referred to the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) for accommodation to date.
IPAS has contracted approximately 5,000 hotel rooms, with additional capacity also being pursued through hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, accommodation pledged by the general public, religious properties, and local authority facilities. In addition, arrangements are also in place with Airbnb to use some of their accommodation.
To date over 23,887 offers of shared and potentially vacant accommodation have been pledged by the public through the Irish Red Cross portal. Work is on-going to contact those pledging accommodation and to commence a draw down of these pledges.
Local authorities are providing information on potential accommodation in their local areas and assisting with the provision of emergency accommodation. My Department is working closely with local authorities to ensure that people in emergency accommodation are moved to other accommodation as soon as possible.
