Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 April 2024
134. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will overturn a decision to refuse permission to travel to two children (details supplied) who need to sit an exam; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15614/24]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that in relation to the specific case to which the Deputy refers, my officials have no record of an application being made through the UkraineTempAccom@equality.gov.ie email address, which is the only avenue for providers to request such permission for BOTPs in their property. If the person involved would like to contact my Department directly through that email address, my officials will be able to assist them further.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, over 105,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland and over 83,000 of those have been referred to this Department seeking accommodation from the State. All accommodation contracted by this Department is temporary in nature, and BOTPs are advised of this when requesting emergency accommodation.
As part of the suite of levers used by my Department to manage bed vacancies, an absence protocol exists to set the criteria by which the State will hold and pay for a bed while a BOTP is absent. The current absence protocol for BOTPs living in State supported temporary accommodation was introduced in October 2023 and is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/absencepolicyen. Absences from accommodation for exceptional circumstances are possible but require pre-approval from my Department in advance. A very clear process in this regard has been communicated to BOTPs and accommodation providers.
