Written answers

Wednesday, 9 March 2022

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

International Protection

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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154. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports, accommodation and other necessities in place currently for Ukrainians forced to flee to Ireland and the supports, accommodation and other necessities that will be introduced in the following weeks and months. [13284/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Firstly, I would like to assure you that my officials and I are deeply concerned by the ongoing crisis in the Ukraine.  My Department is working to support Ukrainian nationals who come to Ireland seeking international protection.

My Department is ready to assist in any coordinated approach developed by the EU to supporting refugees from Ukraine. I am liaising with the Cabinet and my EU colleagues to ensure an effective humanitarian response. My Department is working closely with key stakeholders and with 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.  

As the Deputy will be aware, it is not possible to estimate the number of Ukrainians likely to come to Ireland as the situation remains so volatile. However, I can confirm that accommodation is initially being made available by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department to those Ukrainian nationals who seek international protection in Ireland should they require it and we are planning to scale up operations as the number of arrivals increase.

My officials are actively working to procure accommodation and supports for Ukrainian arrivals to Ireland through hotel accommodation in the first instance and various other accommodation solutions.

We appreciate that many people may wish to make offers of accommodation to support those persons seeking temporary protection in Ireland. The Government has worked with the Red Cross to put in place a national pledge. The website has been launched and is available online throughregisterofpledges.redcross.ie .

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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155. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that a person (details supplied) who is being moved from their present accommodation by International Protection Accommodation Services is being provided with alternative accommodation which is unsuitable due to their medical needs; if appropriate accommodation will be provided to the applicant given the medical circumstances involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13294/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My officials in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) have advised me that the person the Deputy refers to has been engaging with the IPAS team.  The person in question was transferred because the centre in which the person was living was closed as part of the process of enduring IPAS's reliance on emergency accommodation.

I understand that appropriate available accommodation has been offered to the person in question. In keeping with relevant provisions in the International Protection Act, 2015, I cannot comment in any further detail on this particular matter.

The IPAS team is always available to deal with any complaints from residents and residents are encouraged to engage with IPAS if they are unhappy with any aspect of their accommodation. Where a complaint is significant in nature or a resident is not comfortable raising a complaint with a centre manager, they may make the complaint directly, or through a representative authorised to act on their behalf, to the IPAS Customer Service Team.

The IPAS Resident Welfare team is also on hand to provide any support that the person concerned requires.

Deputy, I trust this information satisfies your query.

Photo of Pa DalyPa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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156. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his role and that of his Department within the plans to address the Ukrainian refugee crisis. [13300/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Firstly, I would like to assure you that my officials and I are deeply concerned by the ongoing crisis in the Ukraine. We are monitoring the situation closely and my Department is supporting Ukrainian nationals who come to Ireland seeking international protection.

My Department is ready to assist with any coordinated approach developed by the EU to supporting refugees from Ukraine. I am liaising with the Cabinet and my EU colleagues to ensure an effective humanitarian response. My Department is working closely with key stakeholders and with 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.  

As the Deputy will be aware, it is not possible to estimate the number of Ukrainians likely to come to Ireland as the situation remains so volatile. However, I can confirm that accommodation is being made available by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department and IPAS is planning to scale up its operations as the number of arrivals increase.

My officials are actively working to procure accommodation and supports for Ukrainian arrivals to Ireland through hotel accommodation in the first instance and various other accommodation solutions. 

We appreciate that many people may wish to make offers of accommodation to support those persons seeking temporary protection in Ireland. The Government has worked with the Red Cross to put in place a national pledge. The website has been launched and is available online through .

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