Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
531. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department continue to offer assistance to children and families fleeing from the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32706/23]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that Ireland 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. To date, approximately 86,000 people have been recognised as Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs), of which over 67,000 have sought 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 providers of accommodation to accommodate BOTPs in more than 800 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings where approx 56,000 BOTPs have been accommodated.
My Department also supports the Irish Red Cross and its implementing partners to maximise the capacity of pledged accommodation in supporting the accommodation needs of BOTP. Over 11,000 BOTPs have been placed in accommodation pledged to the Irish Red Cross and the ‘Offer a Home’ scheme managed by Local Authorities.
My Department will continue to provide suitable immediate short-term accommodation to BOTPs who seek State supported accommodation. My Department will also continue to work with other Departments and Agencies in support of the whole of Government response to this crisis.
