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

I thank the Deputy. We do very extensive modelling in terms of the projected numbers of arrivals, but it is just a model and until the week is over we do not know how many will arrive. Since this has been going on for over 18 months, there are some flows we have recognised depending on the time of year. Coming up to Christmas 2022 and into this year, we had a sudden surge. In January, we saw a significant decline. Going into the summer we saw significant numbers, which is why we had to use tented accommodation. We model and every week carry out an assessment of the number of actual arrivals versus the model. That allows us to plan, to our best efforts, on the accommodation side. It allows other Departments to make some plans in terms of education, social protection and the like. As I said, at the moment there are 70,000 in accommodation. Our modelling on the Ukraine side shows 80,000 in accommodation on a no change basis by the end of the year. However, that figure could go up or down depending on arrivals.

As the Deputy knows, I launched the White Paper in early 2021. One element was the delivery of accommodation in the community. In terms of purchasing, we have begun the work. At that point quite a few larger houses and buildings where a number of people could be accommodated were available. I have been very frank about the impact of the Ukraine war having delayed projects. However, we are now working to use the 30 or so properties that we have purchased. We now want to use them for some of our most vulnerable international protection applicants. That includes people who have been trafficked and found by An Garda Síochána, and have then sought international protection. Due to the particular traumas they have experienced, it would be good not to have them in more general international production accommodation which, as we know, can be basic and crowded. Families with a child with a particular disability or individuals with particular disabilities may be housed in this accommodation. That is the plan. We recently signed a contract with an AHB in terms of the operation of those properties. Things will be run by one approved housing body and services provided by another. This will be supported accommodation.