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 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 in view of the very serious accommodation pressures, and the fact that more than 40,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) have sought accommodation from my Department, it is not possible to facilitate a system of independent advocates to support BOTPs with regard to their accommodation allocation. However, my Department organises a NGO Stakeholder Engagement Forum on Ukraine every three weeks where Departments brief key NGOs on their Ukraine response. This Forum provides an opportunity for NGOs to raise concerns that have been brought to them by BOTPs.
In addition, my Department has been engaging with the Community Forum and local organisations at local authority level, bringing in statutory services, such as Tusla and the HSE, and using those fora to link services to centres in the particular local authority area. My Department continues to engage proactively with the Local Community Forum in seeking to continue the cooperation and collaboration that has taken place to date.
