Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 October 2022
143. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider placing modular homes in the Germantown military camp to help with the Ukrainian refugee crisis. [53806/22]
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 54,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 43,000 of those have been referred to this Department 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, my Department has contracted in excess of 34,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 550 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people seeking protection in Ireland as part of the European Union's overall response. The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
Regarding the matter raised, property management decisions on Department of Defence property is a matter for the Minister for Defence.
With regard to the selection of sites for the development of emergency modular accommodation, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage sought information from public authorities on potential sites in their ownership which might be suitable for the installation of modular housing units.
I trust this information is of assistance.
