Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
964. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an application has been received to utilise a facility (details supplied) in Birr, County Offaly, as an accommodation centre for international protection applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13378/23]
View answerIreland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, my Department has worked to accommodate an unprecedented volume of persons seeking refuge following the invasion of Ukraine with over 77,000 people arriving in Ireland, including 57,000 who have sought accommodation from this Department.
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 43,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 750 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The priority is to place people fleeing the war in safe and secure accommodation.
I am advised by my officials that the property referred to by the Deputy is operational since 21 February 2023 in accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection with capacity for 76 persons.
