Since 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 49,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 38,000 of those have been referred to this Department seeking accommodation from the State.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types have been contracted, including emergency accommodation.
Approximately 500 contracts are in operation providing accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) fleeing the war in Ukraine. Currently contracted accommodation capacity includes beds in hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
As of 20th September, the total number of people in serviced accommodation is 34,288. The total number of people in emergency accommodation is 783. Contingency planning continues with multiple avenues explored when it comes to procuring accommodation.
In sourcing and securing accommodation, the central consideration is the safety and security of the displaced people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
I trust the above information is of assistance.
