Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy mentioned the figure of 200,000. At the start of the war the media quoted a range of figures for the numbers who might flee Ukraine generally and the numbers who might arrive in Ireland. However, no one ever said we would be having 200,000 here. I certainly have never said we were expecting 200,000. I always said we would see the numbers as they arise. This is a wartime situation and we do not know what will happen. We have 62,000 Ukrainians and a further 17,000 international protection applicants. By and large, as a country, we have done a good job in looking after those people. That is recognised by Ukrainian parliamentarians who have come here. Notwithstanding that there have been pressures and there will continue to be pressures, by and large, as a country, we have done well.

The Deputy spoke about Dolcain House in Clondalkin. I recognise that, within community groups in Clondalkin, there is a strong welcome for international protection applicants, which is something I welcome and the State welcomes. It is very important. I met Deputy Ward and other Deputies before people moved in. That was something that needed to be done in swift circumstances. The only reason we moved swiftly was because we needed to be able to find accommodation for people. We see spikes and surges in the numbers of people arriving and we need to provide accommodation swiftly.

As we needed to move swiftly on the accommodation in East Wall, I spoke directly to the Deputies in Dublin Central, and in the case of Deputy MacDonald, I spoke to a member of her team. We subsequently engaged with the Dublin City Council members from the local ward. We are doing an information drop in the area at the moment to let people know the numbers of people who will be using the Two Gateway building. We are providing details of whom people may contact with any concerns, and we can come back to people with direct answers. I absolutely understand there has been speed and that speed has left some people in the local community concerned and upset. We will do our best to provide reassurance on the various points people have raised.

Ultimately, we are trying to provide accommodation to vulnerable people who need accommodation in the State, and the Department will continue to try to do that. We will continue to work with Deputies and Senators across parties to provide them with the relevant information.