Written answers

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

International Protection

Photo of Joe O'BrienJoe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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1134. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons who previously entered the international protection process in 2022, presenting with a date of birth which would make them under 18 years of age but who are now living in IPAS accommodation and noted as not being unaccompanied minors following participation in the age assessment procedure by gender and nationalities in tabular form given that the outcome of age assessments is entirely a matter for Tusla. [20114/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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This information is currently being collated by my officials. As such, my Department will require more time to fulfil this request. Details will be supplied to the Deputy as soon as they are available.

Photo of Ivana BacikIvana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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1135. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth her views on the need to avoid further disruption for children who seek refuge in Ireland from Ukraine; his plans to prevent the moving of children once they have been placed in a school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20123/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department is focused on providing immediate, temporary accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Approximately 15,000 people have been placed in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation to date.

IPAS has contracted approximately 5,000 hotel rooms, with additional capacity also being pursued through all suitable means including, hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies such as Scouting Ireland, and local authority emergency facilities. Given arrival numbers sourcing suitable accommodation continues to be a challenge.

My Department is working very closely with the local authorities, through the County and City Management Association (CCMA) to identify emergency short term options to meet continued demands for accommodation. 

The Department understands that offers of accommodation have been pledged through the Irish Red Cross portal and work is on-going involving a number of stakeholders to draw down these pledges.

The accommodation provided to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine by my Department is temporary in its nature, and given the number of people that are being accommodated it is not possible to develop tailored solutions for individuals or families. 

In seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations. 

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