Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
136. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way that his Department has re-organised to effectively meet the demands of the Ukrainian crisis; if he will provide the total cost of the response to date and any other relevant information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50210/22]
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 51,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 40,000 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. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types have been contracted, including hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies and emergency accommodation.
The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
The Government is resolute in its solidarity and support for Ukraine, and huge efforts are being made to source facilities that will provide those arriving in Ireland with safety and shelter.
I can advise the Deputy that since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, my Department responded swiftly by ensuring that resources were immediately put in place to manage the procurement and processing of accommodation required for the influx of people in need of accommodation. A new Division was created and the resource needs have been met through re-assignments from within the Department, temporary assignments and secondments from other public sector bodies, Ukraine temporary clerical officers and other staff on contract. The Public Appointments Service and other Departments have been of significant assistance in meeting the resource demands.
I can also inform the Deputy that as of 7 October 2022, total expenditure by my Department in response to the Ukraine crisis is approximately €280mn.
