Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1415. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that are being taken to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are kept in the same location in which they arrive given the ties that they make regarding childcare, employment and accommodation [41773/22]
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.
The accommodation provided to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine by my Department is temporary in its nature, and as contracts come to an end, it is necessary to move people to new accommodation. Given the number of people that are being accommodated it is not possible to develop tailored solutions for individuals or families. I understand that people may wish to be accommodated in specific locations for a variety of reasons, but my Department cannot facilitate these requests at this time given the number of people arriving wishing to be accommodated.
Beneficiaries of temporary protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements if they wish, and can avail of supports to do so.
More information on supports available to Ukrainian people while they are in Ireland and information on how people and community groups can help can be found at the Government website: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/bc537-irelands-response-to-the-situation-in-ukraine/.
