Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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465. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding (details supplied) has issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36265/22]

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.

DCEDIY is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more than 39,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 29,000 of those have been referred to this Department seeking accommodation from the State.

While DCEDIY remains focused on the provision of immediate temporary accommodation, other Departments and Agencies are also involved in the whole of government response to this crisis.  The Government is committed to supporting those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The cross-Government response is being supported by the Community Response Forum, a Local-Authority led programme providing assistance to Ukrainian refugees.

The team procuring accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection have contracts in place with a wide range of accommodation providers across the country.

These contracts are negotiated directly with the provider according to specific terms, rates and conditions, and for an agreed length of time.

In some cases, the local authorities procure accommodation for the Department according to an agreement that we have with them and under the same terms.

Accommodation procured outside these arrangements, or booked directly by beneficiaries of temporary protection or on their behalf are not funded by the Department. This is to ensure that only suitable accommodation is procured in line with public spending rules.

The Candle of Grace Charity brought a large number of people from Ukraine to Ireland, including over 100 minors, without any contact in advance with my Department.

There was no agreement in place between my Department and Mayo County Council in relation to the procurement of accommodation for this group.

The accommodation arrangements that were made by the charity directly, or with the local County Council is not covered by the Department’s accommodation procurement rules, and the County Council was informed that these costs would not be covered.

It has now been decided that my Department will cover the accommodation cost, subject to Mayo County Council providing assurances that any unaccompanied minor is being accommodated appropriately, and that Tusla is happy with the arrangement.

My Department will not cover costs retrospectively.

To date no funding has been provided to either party for the accommodation of beneficiaries of temporary protection. However, my Department has agreed to cover the accommodations costs going forward and arrangements to make payment will commence once all relevant documentation is in place.  

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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466. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the purpose of a funding allocation to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36266/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Communities Integration Fund, which has been in place since 2017, provides small grants of up to €5,000 to community organisations for initiatives to promote integration at local level.

The Communities Integration Fund 2022 will support 124 projects in communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of migrants. Organisations eligible to apply include local community groups, sports clubs, faith-based groups, arts groups, cultural organisations and schools. This funding can be used for both once-off initiatives and short to medium term projects.

The Candle of Grace were provided with funding under the Communities Integration Fund 2022 to assist Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.  Funding has been provided to a range of organisations under the Fund this year to support those who have come to Ireland from Ukraine.