Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022
81. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he will take to provide accommodation for the Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27630/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the temporary protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.
My Department is focused on providing short-term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Some 23,000 people have been referred for accommodation from my Department to date.
My Department has contracted approximately 17,800 beds in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings with additional capacity also being pursued through accommodation pledged by the general public, state-owned or private properties which may be suitable for short-term accommodation, accommodation belonging to voluntary bodies, student accommodation, religious order properties and Local Authority facilities.
Given the number of people arriving, sourcing suitable accommodation continues to be a challenge. In seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations.
My Department sits on the cross-sectoral and cross-departmental Humanitarian Crisis Housing Taskforce which is chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and which is leading cross government consideration and development of medium and long-term accommodation solutions. Advancing these properties will involve further engagement with all relevant stakeholders.
