Written answers

Thursday, 3 March 2022

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

International Protection

Photo of Neale RichmondNeale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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307. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the preparatory measures that have been taken to house refugees fleeing Ukraine following the Russian invasion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12184/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Russian military onslaught against the government and people of Ukraine is an international outrage. Our response must be to aid the Ukrainian people in any way we can during this time of utmost need for them. 

My Department has begun planning to enable a quick and effective response in the event that Ukrainian nationals come to Ireland seeking international protection.

I am liaising with the Cabinet and my EU colleagues to ensure an effective humanitarian response. My Department will work closely with key stakeholders, the European Commission, other EU Agencies and Member States in order to be prepared for a sudden increase in individuals seeking international protection in the EU and to assist in responding to the EU's coordinated approach in this regard.

I can confirm that accommodation will be made available by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) to those Ukrainian nationals who seek international protection in Ireland should they require it.  Work is beginning to identify suitable accommodation in this regard.

Photo of Ruairi Ó MurchúRuairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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308. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants looked after at a quarantine facility (details supplied) in County Louth from May 2021 to date by month; the number of persons accommodated; the average length of stay for each month in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12212/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The centre to which the Deputy refers was used to provide quarantine facilities for residents who left their allocated accommodation to live temporarily with family or friends and who wished to re-enter International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation at a later date.

IPAS adopted this policy in 2020 following consultations with public health officials in order to mitigate the risk of spread of COVID-19 from private accommodation to the IPAS accommodation network. 

The average length of stay at this centre was 12 days in the period May 2021 to December 2021. The below table provides a breakdown of the number of residents that the centre has accommodated between the period of May 2021 to present date.  The centre has been used as a standard centre to accommodate applicants for international protection since January 2022.

Month No. of Residents Average Length of Stay in days
May-21 29 14
Jun-21 47 15
Jul-21 33 14
Aug-21 20 13
Sep-21 31 11
Oct-21 26 12
Nov-21 32 17
Dec-21 5 3
Jan-22 104 N/A
Feb-22 148 N/A

Deputy, I trust that this information satisfies your query.

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