Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1389. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) to date have been permitted by the Ukraine crisis temporary accommodation team to be absent from State-funded accommodation for a period of seven days or more in the period between 8 December 2023 and 8 January 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57241/23]
View answer1401. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many beneficiaries of temporary protection in receipt of State-funded accommodation were found to be absent without UCTAT approval in the period since 8 December 2023; in respect of those found to be absent, in how many instances the UCTAT Refusals Policy was implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1008/24]
View answer1402. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what checks, if any, were carried out to determine whether persons were absent from State-funded accommodation provided to beneficiaries of temporary protection in the period since 8 December 2023 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1009/24]
View answer1405. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many beneficiaries of temporary protection in receipt of State-funded accommodation opted to relinquishing their accommodation to allow for non-exceptional travel in the period from 8 December 2023 to date; how many such persons have applied for a new offer of accommodation upon their return to Ireland; how many have been provided with a new offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1012/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1389, 1401, 1402 and 1405 together.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it. To date, over 100,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland and approximately 75,000 of those have been referred to my Department seeking accommodation from the State. All accommodation contracted by my Department is temporary in nature, and BOTPs are advised of this when requesting emergency accommodation.
My Department regularly reviews its policies to ensure that the State’s response to the Ukrainian crisis is as effective as possible.
From 9 October 2023 , the Absence Protocol was updated to acknowledge the constrained supply of accommodation for BOTPs, and the need to maximise the supply of available beds. A decision was taken to suspend the previous allowance of one short-term absence (7 calendar days) over a 6-month period, and approved absences from emergency accommodation are restricted to exceptional medical or compassionate circumstances only. BOTPs have the option of relinquishing their accommodation in advance of travel in other circumstances, and these individuals are entitled to apply for a new offer of accommodation upon their return to Ireland at the City West Transit Hub, if accommodation is available.
Over the Christmas period, between 22 December 2023 and 8 January 2024, an exemption was put in place to allow BOTPs to travel and visit friends and family, without the need to request sanction.
When entering into a commercial contract with my Department for the provision of emergency accommodation to BOTPs, providers agree to implement all relevant policies, including the Absence policy. Providers are regularly informed about accommodation policies, and reminded of their obligations.
Between 8 December 2023 and 8 January 2024, 146 BOTPs were permitted to be absent from State-funded accommodation on an exceptional basis, for a period of seven days or more.
Additionally, in that period, 8 beneficiaries of temporary protection in receipt of State-funded accommodation opted to relinquish their accommodation to allow for non-exceptional travel, and none of these have applied for a new offer of accommodation.
Furthermore, in that same period there were 8 absences without sanction notified to this Department and in all these cases the Refusals policy was applied.
