Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank all the guests for appearing before the committee this morning and for the excellent work they have done in assisting and facilitating the Irish Government in its response to this crisis. It is important at the outset to acknowledge the generous response of the Government and, more importantly, the generous response of the Irish public.

My assessment is that this generosity is due to the fact that this is a unique event, certainly in this century. It has resulted in the invocation of the Temporary Protection Directive that was introduced in 2001, something that has not happened before. At the outset, I want to say I think that is the reason why there has been such a response to this event.

I will start by asking Ms Ryan about the role that is played by the Irish Red Cross. I know it is slightly off the topic but it does relate to a point Ms Ward mentioned earlier about secure accommodation for children.

I have met people recently who have registered with the Red Cross; they filled out the application forms but have not heard anything back. Is there a reason for the delay in terms of getting Ukrainian families fixed up with Irish homes that want to take them?