Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 14, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on the humanitarian response to Ukraine last met on Tuesday, 31 January and the next meeting is scheduled for 23 February. This committee, which I chair, works to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the State's humanitarian response to people arriving from Ukraine who have sought temporary protection here.

Since the start of the war, more than 73,000 people arriving from Ukraine have availed of temporary protection in Ireland. To date we have accommodated over 78,000 people who have fled here, between international protection applicants currently in the international protection accommodation services, IPAS, system and those fleeing the war in Ukraine who have sought accommodation from the State.

The Government is focused on managing ongoing pressures on accommodation and services and significant capacity challenges in the face of continuing arrivals. We are also advancing the State's move from an emergency response to a more mainstreamed sustainable approach. Such an approach will be consistent and equitable for all, in light of the high volume of people seeking asylum and the need to maximise all existing capacity. This will ensure the provision of services and assistance is in line with international obligations and consistent and equitable in terms of criteria, needs assessment and means-testing.

In addition to meetings of the Cabinet committee, I have regular engagements with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss matters of concern for their Departments. The Government is keeping our response to all aspects of this humanitarian crisis, in particular accommodation options, under continuous review.

See this speech in context