Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2022
491. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will advise on a family relocation matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25689/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine on February 24, and the invoking of the Temporary Protection Directive shortly thereafter, my Department has been working intensively as part of the cross-Government response to the Ukraine crisis.
My Department is focused on providing short term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Approximately 21 000 people have been placed in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation to date.
My Department has contracted approximately 17,500 beds in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings with additional capacity also being pursued through Airbnb, accommodation pledged by the general public, state-owned or private properties which may be suitable for short-term accommodation, accommodation belonging to voluntary bodies, large adapted centres such as the Millstreet Green Glens Arena, religious properties and Local Authority facilities. The Department is also investigating other options such as student accommodation for the summer period and holiday homes. Given the number of people arriving, sourcing suitable accommodation continues to be a challenge.
The accommodation provided to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine by my Department is temporary in its nature, and given the number of people that are being accommodated it is not possible to develop tailored solutions for individuals or families.
My Department is working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to identify medium to long term housing solutions.
While we make every effort to limit the number of times that people have to move accommodation, unfortunately there are situations where this is necessary, in particular given the temporary nature of the accommodation that we are contracting. My Department is assisting the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in identifying medium to long term housing solutions.
In seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations.
