Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2023
247. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the widespread concerns in relation to the proposed provision of services and the concerns of the local community, as outlined in representations to his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40886/23]
View answerThe number of international protection applicants (IPAs) and Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) arriving in Ireland is expected to remain at elevated levels for the foreseeable future. Access to suitable accommodation is severely constrained. The Department is continuing to avail of offers of accommodation made to it, that meet the standards in our offer proposal mechanisms, such as repurposed office buildings and sports facilities, to address the accommodation shortfall. These options are necessary in order to provide shelter to international protection arrivals, to meet basic needs and to prevent homelessness. I want to assure the Deputy that contracts for accommodation are not agreed until such time as my officials have been provided with evidence that all applicable building and planning obligations have been met by the provider.
While all efforts are made to notify public representatives and State agencies in advance of utilising a building for accommodation of IPAs, the emergency nature of the response required means that advance communications are not as comprehensive or as early as the Department would like. Due to the sheer scale of the present crisis this inevitably means that emergency accommodation of those seeking refuge must be occupied on a faster timeline than would otherwise be the case.
Before the opening of any facility, the Department endeavours to engage with local representatives to provide information as soon as possible, following the agreement of terms with contractors. These constraints limit the time window for advance consultation.
The Department of the Taoiseach has convened a Senior Officials Group (SOG) which is looking at the issue of community engagement and communications. The Department, and several others are engaged in that process. This involves evaluating the most effective methods of engaging with communities in respect of refugees and international protection applicants. A community engagement and communications approach has commenced, and the newly established Community Engagement Team have met with local communities in Co. Cavan to discuss their concerns. The Department is cognisant of these issues and is working towards improving advance communications with elected local representatives, local authorities and local communities, for onward dissemination to interested parties in this regard.
Over the past year, communities across Ireland have demonstrated great solidarity and welcome for those who come here seeking refuge.
