Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

295. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide assistance in relation to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15601/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Deputy, I can confirm that accommodation is 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.

My officials are continuously working to source further accommodation and supports for Ukrainian arrivals to Ireland through hotel accommodation and various other accommodation solutions.The International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) of my Department has contracted over 2,500 hotel rooms, with additional capacity also being pursued.Local Authorities have completed a survey for the Department of Housing of buildings in their local areas that could be repurposed for this purpose. My Department is working actively with the Department of Housing and the City and County Management Association to extend the supply of buildings with the potential to accommodate refugees. The scale of the accommodation challenge is very significant. However, it is necessary that the owner of the facility offer it as accommodation In regard to the former Dingle hospital, you may be aware that in September 2020, Mórtas Pobail applied to Kerry County Council to change the use of the former hospital buildings to a mixed-use facility. Following this, in May 2021, Údarás na Gaeltachta announced it had secured €415,000 under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to develop a master plan for the Old Dingle Hospital project. As such, this is a matter for those bodies.