Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 September 2022
405. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has received a submission (details supplied); if this is being progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44954/22]
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 48,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 37,000 of those have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Approximately 500 contracts are in operation to provide accommodation to Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection. Currently contracted accommodation capacity at present comes to just over 29,000 beds in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
I can confirm that my officials have received the commercial submission which the Deputy has mentioned, and that they are considering the matter.
