Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
327. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the person's home must comply with the most modern building regulations and safety standards for fire and escape routes in the context of persons offering their primary residence to house those fleeing the invasion of Ukraine. [50978/22]
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 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, broad ranges of accommodation types have been contracted.
The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
The Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people seeking protection in Ireland as part of the European Union's overall response. The scale of response to this crisis has been unprecedented and Irish people have displayed an incredible level of generosity in their support and pledges of accommodation.
I can inform the Deputy that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has agreed an inspection template for vacant pledged properties, which includes fire safety criteria. Inspections of suitable pledged vacant properties also take place prior to occupation.
The same criteria which is available to view on the gov.ie website also applies to properties which a host shares with beneficiaries of temporary protection. Applicants for the Government recognition payment to acknowledge the contribution of those pledging accommodation must declare that they meet this standard.
