Emergency Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2023

Tuesday, 7 March 2023

Ceisteanna (472)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

472. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on a proposal to use a property (details supplied) to provide emergency accommodation for persons seeking emergency protection; the number of persons planned to be located at this property; the gender and age breakdown of the persons that are to be located at this property; when it is expected that they will be located at the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11181/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Ireland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, the Department Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked to accommodate an unprecedented volume of persons seeking refuge from the invasion of Ukraine, coming to over 75,000 people, of which over 55,000 have sought accommodation.

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, the Department has contracted in excess of 43,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 720 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.

I am advised by my officials that an offer in respect of the property referred to has not been formally submitted.