Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2023
105. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details on the number of accommodation providers currently housing Ukrainian refugees; the number of accommodation providers currently housing international protection applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25545/23]
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 extensively as part of the whole of Government response to assist over 83,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine, of which 61,000 have sought accommodation from my 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 47,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 770 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.
Regarding international protection accommodation, the total number of IP arrivals currently being accommodated by the State is 20,648 in approximately 200 settings. The total number of arrivals who have applied for IPAS accommodation to date in 2023 is 3,820. The Department has considered all offers of accommodation. It is availing of office buildings, decommissioned Defence Forces barracks and tents to address the accommodation challenge.
