Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their questions and their kind comments.

First, on the temporary protection directive, 72,000 Ukrainian citizens have been welcomed into Ireland. The response has been challenging. We have seen potentially an 1,100% plus increase in Ukrainian citizens who are availing of international protection or a request for same coming into the State and we are trying to respond to provide shelter on both fronts.

In terms of a plan, we are well under way regarding a rapid build trying to provide emergency accommodation for Ukrainian citizens as well as the unoccupied homes call that is out from the local authorities, and our community call forum, which was rebranded post-Covid to deal, through the local authority network, with assisting Ukrainian citizens and drawing all the ties of the State agencies together. The Cabinet has also increased the recognition payment in respect of private homes, where we have seen so many citizens across the country step up to the mark. With regard to the community fund, we have €50 million to support communities, which have stepped up to the mark in this response, with infrastructure.

As the war escalates - we have seen horrific consequences on the ground in Ukraine - it is exceptionally difficult to say what the flow of Ukrainian citizens into Ireland will be. Through the Ukrainian embassy here and the Ukrainian ambassador, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and all the team are in close contact regarding the horrific consequences. The emergency European Council meeting next week will be to the forefront of it as well in terms of the continued response as we hit the first anniversary.

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