Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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347. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of a contract between a person (details supplied) and a business regarding the housing of Ukrainian refugees on the business’ property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46983/22]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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348. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Ukrainian refugees that were settled at a location (details supplied) in County Donegal have been moved to another location; the circumstances under which this removal arose; the actions that were taken by his Department; the way that this fits with contractual obligations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46984/22]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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349. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views in relation to correspondence sent to him on 15 September 2022 regarding a business (details supplied); his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46985/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 to 349, inclusive, together.

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.

The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx of displaced persons like the one that we have seen over the past months. My Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here.

To date, more than 49,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 38,000 of those have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State.

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 hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies and emergency accommodation. My Department has contracted with over 500 accommodation owners, providers and third party agents for the provision of accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The Government is resolute in its solidarity and support for Ukraine, and huge efforts are being made to source facilities that will provide those arriving in Ireland with safety and shelter.

In the case mentioned by the Deputy, the Department has not contracted with the owners of the property. The contract for the provision of accommodation is with a third party agent.

That agent has informed the Department that they will no longer use the property mentioned for the provision of the contracted number of beds, and has moved all refugees out of the property to other contracted accommodation.

The Department is not in a position to intervene in disputes between a contractor and an owner on whose behalf they act.

I trust the above information is of assistance.