Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 February 2024
123. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for his failure to respond properly and fully to multiple emails and phone calls regarding the installation of facilities to house people seeking temporary international protection at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9738/24]
View answerMy Department has carried out a review of communications channels with regard to the Deputy’s concerns and a Department official contacted the Deputy on the 23rd of February in relation to this matter.
A proposal for temporary accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at the location to which the Deputy refers was submitted to my Department late last year by Pastures New Ltd. This provider has experience in successfully delivering similar accommodation facilities, most notably in Stradbally. Co. Laois, and the proposal for the location to which the Deputy refers envisaged a total capacity at the site of 985 BOTPs.
The Department facilitated early engagement between the provider and Kildare County Council to assist in ensuring that the centre would meet all requirements in terms of fire safety, planning and building control.
This site has now been contracted by my Department for accommodating BOTPs strictly on a time-bound basis for a period of 12 months .
A full brief with more detailed information on the site was issued to public representatives on the 27th of February.
