Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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333. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the basis for statements made by him and by other Ministers that Ireland had capacity to welcome up to 200,000 refugees; the assessments compiled or reports commissioned within his Department or by external agencies which allowed him to come to this estimate; his views on whether Ireland can welcome 200,000 refugees into the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21817/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine on February 24, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on meeting the immediate, temporary accommodation needs of those fleeing the conflict.

A dedicated team is focused on the provision of temporary accommodation to refugees from Ukraine. This team is collaborating with all relevant Departments, Agencies, NGOs and Local Authorities, as well as the private sector, to ensure that refugees are provided with temporary accommodation on arrival, and to facilitate access to the supports from others that they require.

Approximately 17,500 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, pledges of accommodation and local authority emergency facilities. Given arrival numbers sourcing suitable accommodation continues to be a challenge.

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