Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
326. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian refugees who have been settled in County Donegal, broken down by townlands; the number of the premises in which Ukrainian refugees are now settled that were previously used as rental accommodation; and the steps that his Department has taken to ensure that nobody has been displaced. [50924/22]
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.
As a general policy, my Department does not currently procure accommodation that is part of the rental market or which is earmarked for other uses. In the context of urgently procuring accommodation in August and September to meet rising demand, my Department contracted accommodation in County Donegal in a number of settings which they were advised were holiday homes, guesthouses and B&Bs. My officials are aware of one such group of properties which was incorrectly described to the Department as a holiday village but was in fact earmarked for other use. Arrangements have been made to relocate the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) sent there to more appropriate accommodation.
The Deputy may wish to note that the procurement of additional accommodation in Donegal is currently under review by my officials.
I trust this information is of assistance.
