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 53,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 42,000 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, my Department has contracted in excess of 33,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 500 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings. The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.

Numbers seeking international protection have also increased adding to accommodation capacity issues.

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.

My Department officials are working to clear a backlog of payments which has affected a number of providers of accommodation to Beneficiaries in recent weeks. This has arisen due to the extraordinary volume of contractors, (over 500), currently working with the Department to provide accommodation to meet the ever-increasing demand. I am advised by my officials that this backlog has been substantially reduced. I have instructed that outstanding queries, including the one highlighted by the Deputy, be dealt with as swiftly as possible.

I trust this information is of assistance.