Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
464. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he, his Department or IPAS were aware of a matter before awarding a contract for accommodation services to a vendor (details supplied). [36242/22]
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 39,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 29,000 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.
My Department does not have responsibility for planning and development matters. Any issues relating to planning are a matter between the contractor and the relevant planning authority.
