Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1141. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that on 5 April 2022 seven students and their families were informed with little less than 24 hours notice that they were being relocated from a hotel (details supplied) in Dublin to another hotel in Cork; if he will reconsider this decision to move these students to a different area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20356/22]

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

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, and local authority emergency facilities. Given arrival numbers sourcing suitable accommodation continues to be a challenge.

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.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1142. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the person or body that assumes liability for damages to property with regard to International Protection Accommodation Services contracted properties and an organisation’s (details supplied) pledged own-door properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20385/22]

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

Deputy, in regard to International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) contracted properties, it  is accepted that residents will treat the accommodation and its contents respectfully and no damage above what is considered to be normal use wear and tear by guests is expected. However, in the event of such damage is attributable to residents and on the back of photographic evidence of same, costs associated with repairs will be borne by the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS).

In the matter of the referred to organisation, it is my Department’s view that those who pledged properties, either shared or vacant, did so to that organisation. My officials work with implementing parties, including Local Authorities, to put beneficiaries in contact with those pledging properties /rooms.

My Department recommends that a licence agreement is signed between the pledger and beneficiary.   A suite of documents to support pledgers and beneficiaries with processes will be made available. However, my Department is not itself a party to this agreement and any matter of liability for damages is a matter between the beneficiary and the pledger.