Since the beginning of the crisis, over 105,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland and recognised as beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTP). My Department has successfully assisted over 73,000 with state supported accommodation. Over 53,000 BOTP are currently residing in State funded temporary accommodation in approximately 1,000 locations at which such accommodation is provided by private providers on contract with my Department.
My officials inform me that approximately 300 contracts with my Department for the accommodation of BOTPs have been terminated since 2022.
The contract with each of our accommodation providers is for a defined period but also contains a provision for either party to terminate the contract with one month’s notice. A reason is not always disclosed when termination is initiated by the provider. In other cases, as part of the management of our portfolio of BOTP accommodation, the officials of my Department have terminated contacts in instances of serious breaches of compliance with our polices, or where the rates being requested by the providers did not provide value for money.
It should be noted that some accommodation providers own multiple properties and may have a separate contract with my Department for each. As such, while the provider may be subject to a contract termination they may continue to provide accommodation to BOTPs at other properties on separate contracts. There are also situations where a notice of termination has been served on a provider but the BOTPs continue to reside at the property in question until suitable arrangements are made for their relocation.
I do not have statistical information on these terminations in a manner to inform the Deputy’s question but I hope the information above is of assistance.
There are no instances where those providing accommodation to International Protection (IP) applicants are doing so following the termination of their contract for the same.
