Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 June 2022
146. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian refugees who are being provided with accommodation by the State by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33148/22]
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.
The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx of displaced persons like the one that we have seen over the past months. My Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here.
To date, more than 35,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 25,000 of those have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types have been contracted, including emergency accommodation. While this is not ideal, the priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
Numbers seeking international protection have also increased adding to accommodation capacity issues.
I can advise the Deputy that the information sought is set out in tabular form showing the total capacity currently under contract with DCEDIY to accommodate Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, by Local Authority area and accommodation type, including hotels, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation, and certain repurposed settings (“Other”). The data is as of 21 June 2022.
