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International Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Questions (1135)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

1135. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth her views on the need to avoid further disruption for children who seek refuge in Ireland from Ukraine; his plans to prevent the moving of children once they have been placed in a school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20123/22]

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Written answers

My Department is focused on providing immediate, temporary accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Approximately 15,000 people have been placed in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation to date.

IPAS has contracted approximately 5,000 hotel rooms, with additional capacity also being pursued through all suitable means including, hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies such as Scouting Ireland, and local authority emergency facilities. Given arrival numbers sourcing suitable accommodation continues to be a challenge.

My Department is working very closely with the local authorities, through the County and City Management Association (CCMA) to identify emergency short term options to meet continued demands for accommodation. 

The Department understands that offers of accommodation have been pledged through the Irish Red Cross portal and work is on-going involving a number of stakeholders to draw down these pledges.

The accommodation provided to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine by my Department is temporary in its nature, and given the number of people that are being accommodated it is not possible to develop tailored solutions for individuals or families. 

In seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations. 

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