Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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310. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of hotels that will be used exclusively to house refugees from Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22147/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the temporary protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.

My Department is focused on providing short-term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Some 23,000 people have sought accommodation in Ireland to date.

As of 29 May 2022, my Department has contractual arrangements in place for approximately 17,800 beds currently in over 300 settings including hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings with additional capacity also being pursued through accommodation pledged by the general public, state-owned or private properties which may be suitable for short-term accommodation belonging to voluntary bodies, religious order properties and Local authority facilities.

It is worth noting that in many cases, my Department has not contracted the facility in its entirety.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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311. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is considering the introduction of financial supports for persons in Ireland hosting refugees from Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21457/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Government announced on 17th May that a payment of €400 in recognition of those pledging property for people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine will be introduced once appropriate legislation is enacted.

The administration of the Scheme will be carried out by the Department of Social Protection as an appropriate payment agent on behalf of the my Department.

The Recognition Payment Scheme will be a monthly flat rate payment of €400 per property in respect of individual properties (shared or vacant) pledged. There is no link assumed between the payment and actual costs incurred.

The proposed approach has the merit of being relatively simple to explain and administer. I anticipate it will take 2 months to put the legislation in place, and I confirm that payments will be backdated.

The payment will be conditional on a minimum time commitment for hosting (6 months), with payments continuing for hosting arrangements beyond this timeframe. The payment is for those who have pledged accommodation through the Irish Red Cross Portal, and for private hosting arrangements.

Penalties will apply in the case of any false declarations made.

It is a financial contribution that recognises the valued contribution of those who host persons fleeing the conflict in Ukraine and I thank all members of the public who have been so generous with their assistance.