Brendan Griffin
Question:343. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4676/24]
View answerThursday, 1 February 2024
Questions (343)
Written answers
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) 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 this Department seeking accommodation from the State.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains challenging. A broad range of accommodation types have been contracted, including hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies and certain emergency or repurposed settings.
All accommodation contracted by this Department is temporary in nature, and BOTPs are advised of this when requesting emergency accommodation.
Where contracts with accommodation providers are ending, my Department undertakes to offer alternative accommodation for those Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who continue to be in need of assistance. However, while my Department will endeavour to offer alternative accommodation in the region in which those affected are currently accommodated, this is not always possible.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements, including potentially availing of pledged accommodation if they wish, and can avail of some supports to do so. Those wishing to avail of pledged accommodation in any given area should contact the Local Authority in that area or the Irish Red Cross pledge process. The Irish Red Cross can be contacted by email at registerofpledges@redcross.ie or by phoning 1800 50 70 70.
In relation to the properties to which the Deputy refers, it should be noted that my Department does not procure or contract private houses or apartments for a variety of reasons including impact on the private residential market.
I wish to draw attention to the Government announcement in November 2023 regarding the refreshed call for offers of unoccupied houses, apartments or holiday homes. The campaign to assist those fleeing the war in Ukraine may be of interest in the context of the above offer. Further information can be accessed at offerahome.ie/