Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
335. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans that are being drawn up to organise the transition of Ukrainian refugees from temporary living arrangements with host families to more independent permanent living arrangements. [18996/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department is providing accommodation to people fleeing Ukraine where requested. Over 11,000 people have been referred for accommodation through the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) to date.
IPAS has contracted around 5,000 hotel rooms, with additional capacity also being pursued through hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, accommodation pledged by the general public, religious properties, and local authority facilities. In addition, arrangements are also in place with Airbnb to use some of their accommodation.
To date a total of 20,719 offers have been pledged through the Irish Red Cross. Of these pledges, 4,899 are for independent units and 15,820 are for independent, shared accommodation. Work is on-going to draw down these pledges.
Local authorities are providing information on potential accommodation in their local areas and assisting with the provision of emergency accommodation. My Department is working closely with local authorities to ensure that people in emergency accommodation are moved to other accommodation as soon as possible. My Department is also liaising with the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in this regard in relation to longer term housing solutions.
