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

I also wish to offer my sympathies to both Deputies on the death of their uncle.

My Department is accommodating over 55,000 people from Ukraine, having contracted 42,000 beds in over 700 settings, including in serviced accommodation and other repurposed settings. In County Kerry, communities have welcomed over 6,000 Ukrainians, with almost 1,700 in the Killarney town area. I know that those from Ukraine sincerely appreciate the community support they have received across Kerry and the rest of the country.

Those fleeing Ukraine continue to arrive in Ireland and last week, there was an average of 124 arrivals daily. It remains challenging to provide shelter to all those in need and this is very much the focus across Government. My Department is in negotiations, as contracts expire, with all existing providers to ascertain whether they will continue to provide accommodation for Ukrainians. No provider has definitively indicated the intention to cease services under the new contracts the Department is offering. We will keep this under review and will continue to procure serviced and self-catering accommodation where we can. Although negotiations are ongoing, it is accepted that some providers will choose to revert to the tourism offering shortly and we are preparing for this.

My Department is working urgently across Government with all partners to bring suitable alternative accommodation on board in all areas, including in County Kerry. The State is committed to delivering solutions beyond tourist accommodation and this includes progressing offers of refurbished buildings, the unoccupied homes campaign, pledged accommodation and rapid-build homes on suitable sites. My officials regularly meet representatives of Departments and Fáilte Ireland to discuss issues arising for those in the tourism market and how these can be responded to. The sector's continued support on this is really appreciated.

Ukrainian displaced persons can make their own private arrangements and can avail of State supports to do so, including potentially availing of pledged or vacant accommodation. So far, 6,482 Ukrainians have been accommodated in 2,700 pledged properties around the country.

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