Housing Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2022

Wednesday, 4 May 2022

Questions (176)

Carol Nolan

Question:

176. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if her Department is considering delimiting the right to private property in response to the accommodation crisis generated by the influx of unprecedented numbers of Ukrainian refugees; if remarks attributed to her in several media sources (details supplied) that the Government would avoid if possible forcing persons or businesses to give up property or to open their homes to Ukrainian refugees accurately reflects her position or that of Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21737/22]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for meeting the immediate and short-term accommodation needs of persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. As part of a whole-of-government response, DCEDIY, in close cooperation with local government, is securing accommodation for arrivals through:

- hotels, guest houses and B&Bs;

- accommodation pledged by the general public, which is being assessed for suitability;

- State-owned or private properties, which may be suitable for short-term accommodation;

- religious properties; and

- local authority community facilities.

In the meantime, a coordinated, whole-of-Government effort is being marshalled to consider and develop options to meet the medium and longer-term accommodation challenges for displaced Ukrainians. A cross-sectoral Humanitarian Crisis Housing Taskforce, chaired by my Department, has been established by Government for this purpose.

Neither my Department nor the taskforce is considering proposals, as part of this work, to force persons or businesses to give up property or to force persons to open their homes to Ukrainian refugees.