Written answers
Tuesday, 25 October 2022
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Ukraine War
Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
492. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider providing a temporary structure for communal purposes for the 300 Ukrainian residents who are currently housed in Hookless village, Fethard-on-Sea (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52756/22]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
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 54,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 43,000 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 Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people seeking protection in Ireland as part of the European Union's overall response. The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
The scale of response to this crisis has been unprecedented and Irish people have displayed a commendable level of generosity in their support and pledges of accommodation.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department is currently considering a proposal in respect of the matter raised, and hopes to revert shortly with a view to providing support for the residents within the scope of my Department’s remit taking into account the challenges which proposals may entail.
I trust this information is of assistance.
No comments