Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1429. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainians who sought refuge in Ireland in 2022 and 2023; the number that have returned home or left the country; the number living at present in centres provided by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1808/24]
View answerSince 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 need 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 this Department seeking accommodation from the State.
Of those 75,000 BOTPs, approximately 59,000 are currently in short term accommodation, including serviced accommodation, emergency accommodation, tented accommodation and emergency rest centre accommodation. The remainder BOTPs, over 16,000 , are in pledged accommodation or Offer a Home Scheme accommodation.
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, a broad range of accommodation types have been contracted, including hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies and emergency accommodation. All accommodation contracted by my Department is temporary in nature, and BOTPs are advised of this when requesting emergency accommodation.
While DCEDIY assists with the Government’s response to the Ukraine crisis, to ensure that Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection have access to suitable accommodation or, if necessary, receive the means to access accommodation, other Departments and Agencies are also involved in the whole-of-Government response to this crisis. The Deputy might wish to refer questions regarding the number of Ukrainians who sought refuge in Ireland in 2022 and 2023; and the number that have returned home or left the country to my colleague the Minister for Justice.
