Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2022
521. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that his Department is taking to ensure that there are play and parent and child spaces in temporary accommodation for Ukrainian refugees; the steps that will be taken if it is revealed that there are no play centres in an accommodation centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28134/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds the City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) and they have been tasked with co-ordinating Stay and Play sessions in medium term accommodation centres for families in arriving and staying in Ireland as beneficiaries of temporary protection as a result of the crisis in Ukraine.
This work is co-ordinated at a local level through the CCCs in collaboration with members of the community response fora, established by the local authorities. The format of the Stay and Play sessions may vary from area to area.
As you are no doubt aware the numbers of Ukrainian citizens seeking accommodation from my Department is unprecedented and all available suitable accommodation is being utilised in response to the high levels of demand. It may not be possible in all locations to provide optimal spaces for play.
Various initiatives are being planned including the provision of play mats for children under 2 in the more limited accommodation centres and an enhanced parent and toddler grant scheme that includes funding for the provision of buggy walking groups to provide local communities with opportunities to join in the response in welcoming and including our Ukrainian visitors.
