Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1422. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will state that he will not entertain the housing of refugees in a property (details supplied) whilst an enforcement action detailing significant issues with the development has been issued against the property by the local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1558/24]
View answerSince the outset of the war in Ukraine in early 2022, Ireland has provided accommodation to over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants. This includes approximately 75,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine who required State supported accommodation and over 26,000 International Protection applicants currently in IPAS accommodation. Prior to the war in Ukraine, there were 8,300 applicants for international protection in State supported accommodation.
I am advised that my Department has no current offer for accommodation for BOTPs or IPs at the property to which the Deputy refers at this time.
All accommodation offered to the Department undergo an assessment process.
Offers of accommodation to BOTPs where properties are in need of significant conversion and refurbishment works are passed on to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for assessment under the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme (ERUP). As with all offers of accommodation to accommodate BOTPs, but most particularly with regard to those requiring conversion/refurbishment, a detailed assessment must be carried out to ensure the property being offered is being prepared to the required standard and complies with building, fire and other statutory requirements. Accommodation providers are responsible for engaging with the relevant local authority when carrying out the refurbishment works. Before a property in the ERUP programme is contracted for accommodating BOTPs, the relevant local authority confirms to my Department that the property is in compliance with key requirements, including planning, fire and other regulatory requirements.
