Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2022
327. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role that his Department has in the provision of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees; the guidelines his Department is operating in terms of the standards of accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50020/22]
View answerThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) continues to lead the initial humanitarian response, including the provision of accommodation and related supports, for persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. My Department is supporting the wider, cross-Government response in a number of ways.
My Department continues to be an integral part of the dedicated Cabinet Committee, as established by the Irish Government. This Cabinet Committee oversees and coordinates the Ukraine humanitarian response, including accommodation and supports for persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. As well as this, my Department is continuing to develop and oversee work under the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) project, which involves the review of properties identified as potentially suitable for refurbishment for use as multi-occupancy accommodation for the purposes of accommodating Ukrainians. The process is ongoing to identify, examine and validate buildings that could be refurbished to accommodate larger groups of people. My Department has developed associated guidelines, the purpose of which is to provide guidance to building owners and contractors on the standard of accommodation required and clarity on the application of statutory processes related to development. The Guidelines for Temporary Accommodation in Existing Buildings for those fleeing the war in Ukraine - Single Persons & Family type Accommodation are available at; www.gov.ie/en/publication/44050-guidelines-for-temporary-accommodation-in-existing-buildings-for-those-fleeing-the-war-in-ukraine-single-persons-family-type-accommodation/
Finally, my Department, in consultation with local authorities and other public bodies, prepared an inventory of sites that may be suitable for modular housing as part of the humanitarian response, for consideration by the Office of Public Works.
