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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 to 15, inclusive, together. The Cabinet committee on the humanitarian response to Ukraine last met on Thursday, 23 February and the next meeting is scheduled for this Thursday. The committee which I chair works to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the State's humanitarian response for people arriving from Ukraine, who sought temporary protection here. The Government's co-ordinated response to the humanitarian crisis is extensive. Ireland has never seen so many people arrive in such a short timeframe.

Since the start of the war, almost 80,000 people have arrived from Ukraine and availed of temporary protection in Ireland. This is a refugee crisis, the scale of which we have never seen in our lifetime and perhaps, in our history. To date, Ireland has accommodated more than 80,000 people in State-sourced accommodation. This includes people who have fled here from Ukraine and people from outside of Europe and other parts of Europe seeking international protection.

In light of the acute and growing pressures in the face of continuing arrivals, the Government is stepping up action to maximise the pace and scale of sourcing suitable accommodation. An accommodation working group has been established to assist with the sourcing of State accommodation and to accelerate the refurbishment of suitable buildings. We are also expanding and advancing a programme of work recently agreed by Government. This will allow consideration of commercial properties and sites for development, refurbishment or purchase and the use of alternative modular buildings. In addition to meetings of the committee, I have regular engagement with Ministers, at Cabinet and individually, to discuss matters of concern for their Departments. Work is ongoing across Government to intensify communications and community engagement on the humanitarian response. Government is keeping our response to all aspects of this humanitarian crisis, in particular accommodation options, under continuous review.

See this speech in context