I am advised that a Department official attempted to make contact by phone with the Deputy unsuccessfully on Monday 19 February. The official followed up via email directly the same day, to which the Deputy responded providing additional information necessary to pursue the inquiry within the Department.
Following several email exchanges, I am further advised that a Department official again contacted the Deputy on 23 February in relation to proposed sites to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in South Kildare, providing her with up to date information.
Ireland has provided accommodation to over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants. This includes approximately 74,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine currently residing in State supported accommodation and approximately 27,500 International Protection applicants currently in IPAS accommodation.
My Department can only confirm use of a premise for accommodation of BOTPs or IP applicants once a contract has been signed, and will, in the first instance, inform local public representatives and statutory agencies. As of February, my Department has contracted 10 premises for accommodation of IP applicants and 16 premises for accommodation of BOTPs in County Kildare.
For clarity, my Department has further agreed to use two sites in the Deputy's neighbouring constituency of North Kildare as designated accommodation centres. From the start of March onwards, 985 beds will be provided for people feeling the war in Ukraine in the Newhall Accommodation Centre, Naas, Co. Kildare and 378 beds will be provided in the Punchestown Event Centre.
