Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1458. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has advanced proposals to have floating accommodation for Ukrainian refugees and/or those seeking international protection; if he will provide details on when the tender process for this will open; and where these centres are intended for. [38882/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has received a number of offers of ‘floating accommodation’ in recent times. Consideration of such proposals comes in the wake of an unprecedented accommodation crisis.
Following detailed investigation and analysis of its use, and in consultation with various stakeholders including the Maritime Unit in the Department of Transport, my Department is still exploring the possibility of publishing a Request For Tender (RFT) on eTenders, seeking flotel accommodation for international protection applicants (IPAs).
However, as my Department is still in an exploratory phase and as there are legal and regulatory issues to be addressed, there are currently no time lines on any potential publication.
The Ukraine Accommodation Procurement team are not considering floating accommodation at this time.
