Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2022
167. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures being taken to alleviate pressure on hotel availability for tourism given that many rooms will be allocated for emergency accommodation this summer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22172/22]
View answerThe immediate emergency and accommodation needs of people arriving in Ireland as a result of the war in Ukraine will continue to be met by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the International Protection Accommodation Services through hotel and guest house accommodation, holiday homes and pledges which includes pledges by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies as well as through use of vacant buildings where minor or no refurbishment is required.
My Department and Fáilte Ireland continue to work with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to identify longer term options beyond the hotel accommodation sector. Tourism sector accommodation is an important component of Ireland’s response to housing people from Ukraine but it is a short-term, responsive element rather than a long-term solution.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is leading cross government consideration and development of medium and long-term accommodation solutions including a cross-sectoral and cross-departmental Humanitarian Crisis Housing Taskforce. The taskforce has met several times including with the construction and development sectors.
I understand that all local authorities are very actively engaged in supporting the national response to the provision of emergency accommodation for Ukrainian refugees, with many directly operating emergency accommodation centres and staff being diverted from other activities they carry out on behalf of Government to facilitate this response.
