Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
474. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to establish a reception centre at a site (details supplied); the proposed duration that it is envisioned the location will be a permanent base for persons; and the supports that will be available to those arising over and above what is available locally, that is additional GP services, early learning centres and so on. [19175/23]
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 from the invasion of Ukraine, including 80,000 people, of which over 59,000 have sought accommodation.
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 47,000 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 in safe and secure accommodation.
I am advised by my officials that the property referred to by the Deputy has been contracted by my Department and will start receiving Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in May. The contract is of 12 months duration.
Matters relating to GP services and schools are appropriate to the Department of Health and Department of Education respectively who are also assisting those fleeing the war in Ukraine as part of the whole of Government response.
My Department has been proactive in implementing early years’ supports for children. We have introduced targeted measures to expand ELC capacities. So far, over 500 Stay and Play sessions have taken place in accommodation centres and other venues including local libraries and community centres across the country. Ukrainian children have free access to the ECCE programme and have access to the National Childcare Scheme through its sponsorship route for refugee children where places are available. Parents have access to the City and County Childcare Committee if they have difficulty in finding a preschool place on the ECCE programme in each county. A range of CPD courses and resources for early years educators have been developed including supports for trauma informed practice which was a collaboration with Barnardo's and a number of focused webinars have been developed for educators. These are available on the First 5 website. Children in the ECCE preschool programme have access to AIM supports for children with additional needs. My Department has funded play mats packs for children under 2 living in space limited accommodation. CYSPC’s are delivering this action. Bilingualism approaches for educators are in development with colleagues in Early Childhood Ireland. The City and County Childcare Committees sit on the local authority Community Forum to co-ordinate the response from the ELC sector and represent the Department at the county level. The Parent and Toddler Grant scheme has been extended to include Buggy Walking Groups and an additional €75,000 to support local community groups to engage with Ukrainian families, has been added to bring the total allocated to €325,000. Take up appears to be significant.
