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Gnáthamharc

Ukraine War

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2022

Thursday, 23 June 2022

Ceisteanna (372)

Duncan Smith

Ceist:

372. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an organisational chart for the IPAS service including details of the section or sections with responsibility for Ukrainian citizens displaced due to the war and including contact details for public representatives to use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33364/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Since 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 confirm to the Deputy that within my Department, a dedicated Ukraine Response Division has been newly established. The team includes more than 80 staff. The majority of these staff have moved from within the Department with consequent impacts on ongoing work priorities. The Division also includes new staff and those seconded from other Departments and Agencies.

I want to recognise the hard work and commitment of Department staff in providing accommodation for so many people in such a short period, as well as maintaining work progress in other key areas. Many staff have volunteered their own time, at night and on weekends, to work in the welcome centre in Citywest to provide that immediate welcome to people fleeing Ukraine as they arrive here.

I want to acknowledge the staff from other Departments also working in Citywest - including those from the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Justice as well as medical staff from the HSE. 

My Department and its staff will continue in their efforts to assist those arriving as best they can. 

Public Representatives can contact ukrainetempaccom@equality.gov.ie.

The main units and workstreams of the Ukraine Programme Management office are detailed below:

Ukraine Programme Management Office – Workstreams

Reporting and Data Management

Coordination and Management

Communications and Stakeholders

Policy, Governance and Parliamentary Affairs

Pledge Project

Procurement

Reception and Movement  Infrastructure

Accommodation Operations

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