Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1339. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of hotels currently being used to provide accommodation to asylum seekers; the number of hotels currently being used to provide accommodation to refugees; the level of payments being made to hotels per person per night; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40138/22]
View answerSince the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the temporary protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.
The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx of displaced persons like the one that we have seen over the past months. My Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here.
To date, more than 42,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 31,000 of those have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State. The number of people seeking international protection has also increased adding to accommodation capacity issues.
Currently, 26 hotels are being used to accommodate persons seeking international protection. 173 hotels are currently in use to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who have fled the conflict in Ukraine.
It is not possible to provide contract values because of commercial sensitivity.
