Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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74. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the engagement he has had with his colleagues in Government regarding housing Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32825/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is responsible for meeting the immediate and short-term accommodation needs of persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine. My Department is supporting the national response in a number of ways, which have arisen from the Housing Taskforce that was established shortly after the conflict arose. Firstly, my Department, in partnership with the local government sector, is reviewing multi-unit vacant buildings notified to it which may be suitable for use as temporary accommodation by Ukrainian refugees and has already passed a number of these buildings to DCEDIY for immediate use. Secondly, my Department is supporting the work of the Office of Public Works which is leading with  regard to the potential for modular accommodation. Finally, my Department has announced the establishment a dedicated Housing Supply Clearing House aimed at unlocking barriers to the delivery of residential accommodation which has the benefit of planning permission, with the aim of meeting the housing needs of people seeking temporary protection from Ukraine and advancing housing supply more generally.

I attend the Cabinet Committee on Accommodation and Supports for Ukrainian Refugees and my Department is in regular contact with the other Departments involved with the response.