Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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277. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the plans in place for the long-term housing needs of Ukrainian refugees; if there are plans for local authorities to seek rental accommodation from private landlords to use for this purpose; his plans to deal with the extreme shortage of private rented accommodation in counties such as Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48131/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has overall responsibility for the provision of accommodation for Ukrainian nationals seeking temporary protection in Ireland and a sourced a variety of accommodation types for this purpose.

My Department is focusing on the longer-term accommodation challenges where upgrading investment is required and is continuing to work with DCEDIY around the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) project and supporting the specific accommodation needs particularly in respect of multi-occupancy vacant properties that may be suitable and available for use as accommodation, subject to refurbishment being carried out.

My Department is also supporting the OPW in their role in leading design, development, procurement and delivery of modular accommodation units. In this regard, my Department in consultation with local authorities and other public bodies, has developed an inventory of sites that may be suitable for modular housing as part of the Governments humanitarian response. The OPW has identified a number of these for further investigation and is currently engaging with the relevant local authorities and pubic bodies regarding same.

In relation to supply issues more generally, increasing housing supply and delivering sustainable, affordable homes for people is the Government’s top priority. Housing for All is the Government’s ambitious housing strategy with annual targets to deliver 300,000 new homes between now and 2030. Guaranteed State investment of over €4 billion a year in housing is aimed at increasing supply, which in turn will help increase access to affordable homes to buy or rent.

Despite external global challenges – from COVID-19-related construction sector shutdowns, supply chain difficulties and rising inflation due to the war in Ukraine - there is robust housing delivery, a positive pipeline and activity in the housing market. The Government’s target of 24,600 new build homes for 2022 is on track to be met.