Ivana Bacik
Ceist:128. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach when the most recent meeting of the Cabinet Sub-Committee for Accommodation and Supports for Ukrainian Refugees took place. [13433/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 21 March 2023
Ceisteanna (128)
Freagraí scríofa
The Cabinet Committee on the Humanitarian Response to Ukraine last met on Thursday 23rd of February. The next meeting is scheduled for 30th of March.
This Committee, which I chair, works to ensure a coordinated approach to the State’s humanitarian response for people arriving from Ukraine who have sought Temporary Protection here.
The Government’s coordinated response to the humanitarian crisis is extensive and ongoing. Ireland has never seen so many people arrive in such a short time frame.
Since the start of this war, more than 78,000 people arriving from Ukraine have availed of temporary protection in Ireland.
To date, Ireland has accommodated over 80,000 people in state-sourced accommodation, between people who have fled here from Ukraine and people in international protection IPAS accommodation.
In light of the acute and growing pressures in the face of continuing arrivals, Government is stepping up action to maximise the pace and scale of sourcing suitable accommodation.
An Accommodation Working Group has been established to assist with the agile sourcing of State accommodation and to accelerate the refurbishment of suitable buildings.
We are also advancing an expanded programme of work recently agreed by Government. This will allow consideration of commercial properties and sites for development, refurbishment or purchase and the use of alternative modular buildings.
In addition to meetings of the Cabinet Committee, I have regular engagements with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss matters of concern for their Departments.
Work is also ongoing across Government to intensify Communications and Community Engagement on the humanitarian response.
The Government is keeping our response to all aspects of this humanitarian crisis, in particular accommodation options, under continuous review.