I propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 504 together.
Ireland is now accommodating almost 101,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants (IPAs).
This includes nearly 75,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and almost 26,000 IPAs currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.
All of the limited accommodation capacity within the IPAS system is currently being used. Given the significantly increased numbers of arrivals in the context of accommodation shortages, the Department has no option but to consider all offers of accommodation made to it to address the accommodation shortfall.
This is a nationwide urgent situation and centres have been opened in all parts of the country.
Calls to public representatives from the Community Engagement Team were made to all local public representatives regarding the proposed opening of the accommodation centre in Racket Hall. Following these calls, the CET issued a full briefing note to all local representatives, including the Deputy, in advance of the opening of Racket Hall accommodation centre. These briefing notes also issued to the Local Authority and the Local Development Company and An Garda Síochána. A number of Leads have been assigned nationally in relevant service areas to liaise with the CET to ensure that those Leads can provide timely information to services locally. Leads are alerted of arrivals by the CET in order to enable service delivery. The briefing notes are intended to provide factual information to communities in relation to the accommodation centre and the context within which the Department is operating.
The Department is cognisant of the need to provide supports both to IP applicants and communities.
The provision of accommodation, health, education, income and other supports, as appropriate, to both those arriving from Ukraine and IP applicants is an ongoing focus of the work of Government. The ongoing whole-of-Government response involves a range of departments and agencies, as well as local Government. Additional resources and new processes and structures to integrate expertise and efforts are in place. These are being deployed to address the issues arising, in what is an extremely challenging situation.
Over the past two years, communities across Ireland have demonstrated great solidarity and welcome for those who come here seeking refuge.
The State has a legal obligation to assess the claims of those who seek IP, and in that time, to provide accommodation and supports in line with the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), to those that require it.
The Department continues to work tirelessly to address the shortfall in accommodation for IP applicants, the Ukraine Crisis, and to develop medium and long term solutions.
