Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 April 2022
340. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that will be implemented to reduce the delays in allocating housing accommodation to persons from Ukraine arriving in Ireland due to the war waged on their country by Russia in circumstances in which offers of accommodation have been made by homeowners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19139/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is providing accommodation to people fleeing Ukraine where requested. Over 11,000 people have been referred to the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) for accommodation to date.
IPAS has contracted approximately 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.
