Barry Ward (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Tá an bród orm as an méid atá á dhéanamh ag Rialtas na hÉireann faoi láthair. Is uafásach na heachtraí atá ar siúl san Úcráin. Táimid bródúil as an méid atá á dhéanamh ag an bpobal, ag muintir na hÉireann, ar son muintir na hÚcráine. Sular tháinig mé anseo, bhí mé ag caint le hambasadóir na hÚcráine, a bhí anseo i dTeach Laighean. Bhíomar ag iarraidh rud a dhéanamh le Cros Dhearg na hÉireann chun cabhrú. Bhí sí ag labhairt linn faoi na heachtraí atá ar siúl faoi láthair. Mar a dúirt mé, táim bródúil as an méid atá a dhéanamh againn.

As much as we can do, it is very important. All of us support what the Government is doing. These strong measures will hopefully yield strong results. It will not solve the problem but it will help the people who come to Ireland. The aid that is coming through here will also help the people in Ukraine. Earlier, the Irish Red Cross told us that it anticipates raising €20 million for Ukraine. It is an extraordinary amount. It is an extraordinary crisis.

I hope the Minister of State can allay our fears that we can cope with the people who are coming here and that, as Senator Kyne said, we will put in place all the things needed to support those people to ensure that they can come here and for the time that they are here, continue their lives in as normal a way as possible however awful and difficult it might be for them. I hope we will put at their disposal the facilities of the State the same as they would be available to any European Union citizen.

I welcome the announcements already made in relation to PPS numbers, health provision and education provision. Can the Minister of State give us any greater detail on what will be available to them?