Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023
422. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide assistance with an accommodation matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43630/23]
View answerIreland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked extensively to accommodate over 96,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine, approximately 83% have sought accommodation from this 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, the Department has contracted in excess of 49,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 800 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
Maximising the use of contracted vacancies is a priority for my Department. A dedicated team were established in Q2 of this year to actively validate vacancies notified to us by accommodation providers to ensure these are within contract and meet our standards. There are a number of circumstances, however, under which vacancies cannot be used in the short term and must be paused. Where a provider is nearing the end of their contract, for example, or where an issue has been raised with my Department such that the provider’s offering is under review, vacancies notified by that accommodation provider will not be filled until these matters are resolved to ensure the safety and security of BOTPs.
Vacancies which are suitable for immediate use are made available by my officials to operational teams for allocation. Due to varying room configurations and geographical location, some vacancies may take longer to fill then others given they are utilised to meet the specific requirements of individuals and family groups of BOTPs. Accommodation providers can be assured that if they have notified my Department of their vacancies through the correct channel, my officials are aware of them, are actively working them, and they will be availed of provided they meet required standards.
Due to this unprecedented level of demand, DCEDIY will only consider the allocation of accommodation to newly arrived, immediate members of a family, wishing to reunite and remain in Ireland, who have been granted temporary protection. This allocation will only be possible where there is a vacant bed (s) in a room already occupied by the family members currently residing at the property.
In relation to the property to which the Deputy refers, my Department is working with the Local Authority and the property owners to resolve open issues. Once these issues have been resolved the vacancies can then be used.
