John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. It is good to see him with us and back in full health.

I thank the Minister of State for introducing these regulations, which seek to put temporary change of use in place to accommodate those seeking international protection or seeking temporary protection from the illegal war which is being waged by Russia in Ukraine. We are all acutely aware of the challenges being placed on all countries across Europe as a result of those who are fleeing war and Ireland is no different in that respect.We have tried as a Government to think outside the box to find housing solutions for our Ukrainian friends. This includes the provision of rapid-build homes, which is being progressed through the Office of Public Works, OPW, and the use of former congregated setting facilities, which is not ideal but is necessary. In addition, as we all are aware, approximately 25% of hotel beds in the country are being taken up to accommodate people. However, we still do not have enough space. We need measures like this at the moment to assist those seeking international protection.

I take the opportunity to thank all the officials who have been working tirelessly on this issue over the past nine months. It is a particularly challenging time for them and their teams, for local authorities and for all the community groups that have responded so valiantly to assist those who are fleeing war. We must streamline the international protection accommodation services, IPAS, process. We cannot have a situation continuing whereby companies, individuals and families who are offering to provide accommodation to the State to house people are not getting a quick response. I have a number of examples of this in my own area in Waterford, which I have raised with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, and his team. We really need to streamline the process and work to get it through the stage of analysing whether accommodation is appropriate and on to putting the necessary contracts in place. That must be done in a speedy fashion. There is nothing more frustrating for those who are looking to provide accommodation than to hear stories on the news of people being stuck in Dublin Airport with nowhere to go. I ask the Minister of State to take that point back to the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. I have sent in a number of examples of where this is happening. We must do better in that respect.

I thank the Minister of State for bringing forward these regulations for exempted development. Unfortunately, they are necessary at the present time.