Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
1106. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department plans to act on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11775/24]
View answerA Department official has contacted the person concerned directly in relation to this matter The Ukraine Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team (UCTAT)? is not in a position to provide accommodation for people with specific complex medical needs, although through the first initial HSE assessment in?CityWest?all staff will do their best to meet the accommodation needs of each case presented.
Where medical issues are raised, my Department works with the HSE on the basis of a protocol which sets out the priority cases for medical moves. All requests to relocate on medical grounds must be sent to my Department at -UkraineTempAccom@equality.gov.ie
Unless a case is deemed eligible for a move to our very limited accommodation near hospitals and treatment centres, BOTPs can access supports for treatment and transport through the Community Response Forum.
BOTPs have the same access to medical services as people normally resident in Ireland who are often also not living close to hospitals or specialist services. The Department of Transport has set up local transport links, such as the community car, to assist with such situations.
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.???
While the Department will make every effort to review requests received as quickly as possible, it may take some time to respond.
