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Departmental Budgets

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 May 2024

Wednesday, 22 May 2024

Ceisteanna (145)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

145. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 436 of 8 May 2024, to detail the outputs in 2023 under subhead E5 based on the financial allocation under the revised estimates and the final allocation for subhead E5 in 2023, including the number of temporary protection accommodation beds funded and the breakdown of the same across State-owned accommodation and commercial accommodation. [23069/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The position in relation to the three output targets in 2023 under subhead E05 based on the financial allocation under the revised estimates and the final allocation for subhead E05 in 2023 is as follows:

• 100% of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) requesting State accommodation accommodated (all settings)

• >30% of accommodated BOTPs in pledged and modular accommodation 

• 57% of accommodated BOTPs in settings other than hotels

I am pleased to say that since the outset of the Government's response the Ukraine crisis, 100% of BOTPs who have sought State supported accommodation have received it. To date, over 106,000 people from Ukraine have been granted temporary protection in Ireland and over 84,000 of those have been in referred to DCEDIY seeking State-supported accommodation. Approximately 29,500 of these were accommodated in 2023.

Pledged Accommodation includes pledges to the Irish Red Cross campaign, the "Offer a Home" scheme operated by Local Authorities with support from the LGMA and private hosting arrangements. These have received State support through the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) which recognises the generosity of hosting BOTPs. To date, almost €130 million has been paid under the ARP scheme to approx. 15,500 hosts in respect of hosting over 34,600 BOTPs. This represents over 30% of all BOTPs who have come to Ireland and a higher % of those BOTPs who have sought State supported accommodation. Currently, over 11,000 hosts are currently receiving ARP in respect of over 25,000 BOTPs being hosted. In 2023, almost €71m was paid to over 7,375 hosts under the Accommodation Recognition Payment for hosting over 16,650 BOTP.

Modular - The Government approved the construction of 700 rapid build homes with the potential to house up to 2,800 individuals in family units. The OPW is leading the development of this accommodation in conjunction with my Department. In 2023, 1,240 BOTPs were accommodated in 310 units under this project.

In Mullingar my Department has proof of concept modular pods, 80 beds were ready for occupancy in December 2023.

Following a re-fit of the Barracks by Kerry Co Co, the Department commenced occupation of a former HSE test centre in Ballymullen Barracks in December 2022. This site had 62 beds during the 2023

1382 BOTPs were accommodated in under the modular project during 2023, which represented less than 2% of all BOTPs that had sought State supported accommodation.

In 2023 43% were reported in the category of “hotels” and 57% were staying in other types of accommodation.

The final allocation for subhead E05 for 2023 was €1.52bn. This comprised €1.36048bn in current and €159.694m in capital funding. These figures are included in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) for 2024 published in December 2023 and can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/#2024.

The number of accommodation beds funded by my Department reached a peak at almost 60k towards the end of 2023. This was primarily commercially sourced serviced and self catering accommodation, rapid built modular accommodation as outlined above and other emergency and rest centre accommodation provided by Local Authorities to support my Department in meeting the needs of BOTPs seeking accommodation from the State.

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