Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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527. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a decision will issue in relation to an email (details supplied) submitted by this Deputy to the Ukraine crisis temporary accommodation team on 10 August 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49490/22]

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.

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 51,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 40,000 of those have been referred to this Department 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.

The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.

The Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people seeking protection in Ireland as part of the European Union's overall response. Given arrival numbers, sourcing suitable accommodation continues to remain a challenge. Numbers seeking international protection have also increased adding to accommodation capacity issues.

I would like to apologise to the Deputy for any oversight in responding to his previous representations. Over 50,000 people have arrived from Ukraine as beneficiaries of temporary protection. It is not always possible to accommodate individuals in the part of the country where they might like to live. However, as far as possible, the Department works with local authorities and its NGO implementing partners- particularly the Irish Red Cross and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) - who aim to match beneficiaries to pledged accommodation where it is available.

Beneficiaries of temporary protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements including potentially availing of pledged accommodation if they wish, and can avail of some supports to do so. To date, 4,398 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection have been placed in 1,718 properties and this number continues to increase weekly. Those wishing to avail of pledged accommodation can contact the local authority in the appropriate area .

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.

More information on supports available to Ukrainian people while they are in Ireland and information on how people and community groups can help can be found at the Government website: www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/bc537-irelands-response-to-the-situation-in-ukraine/.