Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1209. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if International Protection Accommodation Services have placed Ukrainian refugees in accommodation in Coleman Road/Railway Road, Cavan Town; if so, if this accommodation has been inspected by Cavan County Council; if it is registered and in compliance with the Residential Tenancies Board; the total remuneration being received by the owner of the properties involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30783/22]

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.

Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types have been contracted, including emergency accommodation. While this is not ideal, the priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.

Numbers seeking international protection have also increased adding to accommodation capacity issues.

To date, more than 34,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 25,000 of those have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State.

I can confirm to the Deputy that one property, a guesthouse, provides accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) at the address supplied on behalf of International Protection Accommodation Services.

As this is commercial accommodation provision rather than a private letting, I am advised that inspection is outside the scope of Cavan County Council’s remit.

I am further advised that registration with the Residential Tenancies Board is not a requirement for this type of accommodation.

The Deputy may wish to note that contracted premises are required to be compliant by law with health and safety regulations and planning requirements and may be subject to inspections by a range of authorities in this regard, including the Environmental Health Office of the HSE and the Health and Safety Authority.

While my Department does not have a set schedule for inspections in place it has sought on occasion for an inspection to be carried out and will continue to seek inspections to be completed in order to address any concerns.

The accommodation provided to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine by this 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. The Deputy may wish to be aware that should any BOTP have concerns over the standard of accommodation provided, they may raise it with the service accommodation provider in the first instance.

Information on amounts payable to accommodation providers are not currently provided by my Department in the interest of addressing matters of commercial sensitivity.