Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 May 2023
627. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to ensure that adequate provision is being made available throughout the country for refugees, Ukrainians or applicants of the International Protection Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26381/23]
View answerIreland is now accommodating over 84,875 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants (IPAs). This compares with over 8,575 at the end of February 2022.
Since the beginning of January 2022, the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) have brought 148 emergency accommodation locations into use in 23 counties. All offers of accommodation received have been considered.
IPPS continues to evaluate all offers of accommodation made to it as quickly as possible and welcomes offers from providers who will accommodate IPAs.
There is no delay from the Department in regard to its evaluation of offers and proposals are being appraised and agreed at a rapid pace.
My Department is availing of office buildings, decommissioned Defence Forces barracks and tents to try to address the shortfall it currently faces where demand for accommodation outstrips supply.
My Department is continuing to engage with providers of new accommodation. A number of repurposed buildings will shortly be brought into use as adult male accommodation.
In addition, the Department is progressing with a plan to deliver capacity through ‘floating accommodation’. And is expected to publish a Request for Tender on eTenders shortly. It is envisaged that circa 1,500 bed spaces will be created from this accommodation type.
Accommodation has been acquired under the White Paper model and a funding scheme to support approved housing bodies to source White Paper related accommodation will be launched shortly. Work is also ongoing to purchase turnkey larger reception centres under the White Paper model. Work is also being undertaken to use rapid build technologies to develop larger reception centres under the auspices of the Accommodation Working Group which has a mandate to devise accommodation solutions for international protection applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection.
In terms of the Ukraine crisis, in excess of 770 contracts are in operation to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Contracted accommodation capacity at present comes to approximately 47,000 beds in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
Efforts to secure additional accommodation include the continued matching of pledge offers. Since March 2022, my Department in collaboration with the Irish Red Cross and the Implementing partners has contributed to ensuring as many appropriate pledge offers as possible have been activated. To date, over 7,300 beneficiaries of temporary protection have been accommodated in over 3,200 properties. The Irish Red Cross has resumed ownership of the pledge process in 2023 with the objective of advancing matches to the greatest extent possible.
My Department continues to engage with sporting organisations and other bodies to bring any other venues or other suitable buildings on stream to house those fleeing the war in Ukraine. My Department is also working as a member of the Senior Officials Accommodation Working Group set up by the Department of An Taoiseach and including the Department of Housing to advance certain refurbished properties in a timely manner. The unoccupied homes campaign is also coordinated by Local Authorities and as of 24 May, over 3000 beneficiaries of temporary protection have been accommodated under the Offer a Home Scheme.
My Department is also collaborating with the OPW in implementing the rapid build homes programme to house BOTP's. The Government has approved the construction of 700 rapid build homes with the potential to house up to 2,800 individuals in family units. The rapid build homes will be constructed on state owned land. After a programme of engagement with local representatives and local authorities, work has begun on the first phase of sites. Further sites will come on stream in the coming weeks following the completion of suitability assessment work. My Department is working with other Departments and agencies (D/Health, D/Education, HSE) to ensure that the additional resources needed are in place.
