Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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223. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of the number of staff by grade who are assigned on a full-time basis to liaise with and provide support to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in order for that Department to fulfil its areas of responsibility in respect of providing for the needs of those seeking international protection and persons categorised by virtue of the temporary protection directive by the European Union; and if he will provide a schedule of the services that his Department provides to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in that regard. [50444/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Since the beginning of the crisis, staff of my Department have been assisting in Ireland’s response to the invasion of Ukraine. Recognising the exceptional circumstances, temporary arrangements have been put in place to allow people travelling from Ukraine to Ireland to be accompanied by their pets, even if the pets are not in compliance with EU Travel Regulations. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine maintains a presence at Border Controls Posts in our ports and airports. At these sites, Veterinary Inspectors and administrative staff facilitate the movement of individuals and families arriving in Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive at Border Controls Posts by taking steps to bring accompanying pets into compliance with the legislative travel requirements. This work protects our domestic animal population and general public health. As well as helping to address the immediate humanitarian crisis, staff in my Department are actively engaged in taking the necessary steps to ensure that food security is maintained, for EU citizens, for the Ukrainian people and in the wider global context.

In addition to the Department’s contribution within its own areas of responsibility in response to this crisis, one member of staff, at Executive Officer level has been seconded on a full-time basis to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to assist the operation of the Ukraine and International Protection Division.