Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 May 2022
63. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he envisages a similar relaxation of guidelines for persons erecting temporary or modular structures in view of recent discussions regarding the possibility of relaxing planning guidelines to tackle the accommodation for refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22160/22]
View answerRussia’s illegal and immoral war on Ukraine has forced more than 5.5 million Ukrainian civilians to flee their homes and seek refuge in EU and other neighbouring States. It is anticipated 10 million may ultimately leave Ukraine, with more than 100,000 of these possibly arriving in Ireland. This will present the State with a challenge of unprecedented immediacy and magnitude, requiring an equally unprecedented and extraordinary emergency response to accommodate those already here and those yet to come.
My Department is leading cross-government consideration of options to meet the longer-term accommodation requirements of Ukrainian refugees, including temporary emergency accommodation and measures to facilitate its delivery. Planning legislation provides for emergency situations of this nature and the provisions – used previously to respond to the Syrian refugee crisis and COVID pandemic – may allow buildings to be built or commercial and others converted to accommodation for Ukrainian refugees, on a temporary basis. Where development is required which is intended for longer-term use, separate emergency provisions may allow, on a case-by-case basis, for the use of Ministerial orders.
Generally, emergency provisions are not appropriate for the delivery of domestic housing, which requires a more strategic, long-term approach as provided for in Housing for All. That said, where suitable accommodation is developed as part of the humanitarian response, it may be turned to social and affordable housing when the humanitarian crisis is resolved.
