Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
1000. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the goods and services that accommodation providers are contractually obliged to provide to beneficiaries of temporary protection, in addition to accommodation and meals. [1821/23]
View answerMy Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled to Ireland from the war in Ukraine. To date, more than 71,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 52,000 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, my Department has contracted in excess of 37,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 650 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings. The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
Clauses and terms of individual contracts may vary depending on the type of accommodation being provided. However, generally speaking, accommodation providers are contractually obliged to provide the following for BOTP residents:
- Rooms serviced weekly (including bed linen change) and fresh towels supplied daily/on request.
- The Accommodation Provider must put in place a laundry facility for residents.
- The Accommodation Provider must allow access by NGOs authorised by the Client to the property to enable same to deal with welfare matters of the residents if required.
- A suitable private area at the accommodation setting available for the use of my Department and our state service partners, including but not limited to HSE, Department of Social Protection and Tusla Education Support Services.
From 12 December 2022, in line with the Government decision of 28 October, a serviced accommodation contribution policy came into effect. The policy applies to certain serviced accommodation (for example hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and hostels) where self-catering options are not available. As contracts for full board come up for renewal, terms will be renegotiated and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) will be required to make a contribution towards the cost of their meals in order to avail of this State provided accommodation. The contribution will be €10 per adult and €5 per child per day. Following consultation with providers, the purchase of meals in serviced accommodation will be compulsory. BOTPs must pay this contribution directly to the accommodation providers, and they will be notified of the start date 2 weeks in advance.
As part of implementation of the Government Decision, personal laundry will no longer be included in accommodation contracts. Beneficiaries will need to pay the cost of personal laundry and any other additional services, including for example costs arising from accommodation of their pets, to service providers directly. Room cleaning and other standard ‘room only’ services will continue to be included in my Department's contracts with providers.
