Written answers

Tuesday, 8 November 2022

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Ukraine War

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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741. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of tourism accommodation bedrooms that have been taken up, both nationally and per county, with Government contracts for Ukrainian refugees and other asylum seekers; the percentage of overall availability which this represents nationally and per county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55320/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic 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 45,000 of those arriving in Ireland have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State. My Department has contracted in excess of 34,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 550 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.

Regarding the matter raised, I can advise the Deputy that my Department’s analysis as of 18th October suggests that currently contracted accommodation, including both our contracts for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) and International Protection Applicants (IPs) equates to approximately 22% of all tourist accommodation across all counties When Dublin is excluded, the average is approximately 26%.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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743. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department and all bodies under his Department’s aegis have reviewed their estates' portfolio in the context of identifying unoccupied buildings that may be suitable for use in the context of meeting the accommodation needs of persons arriving in Ireland from Ukraine. [54211/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I can inform the Deputy that my Department operates from a number of building locations including:

1. Block 1 Miesian Plaza, 50 – 58 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin. D02 XW14. (Floors 2 and 3).

2. Montague Court, 7 – 11 Montague Street, Dublin. D02 FT96. (Floors 2 and 3).

3. Citywest, Garter Lane, Saggart, Co. Dublin, D24 KF8A, which is a Ukrainian Refugee Transit Centre.

The above properties are not owned by my Department.

As the Deputy will be aware the Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to end the current system of accommodation for International Protection applicants and replace it with a new model that is based on a not for profit approach. As part of this process, I published A White Paper to end Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service on 26 February, 2021. This paper sets out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland, and will replace the current system.

Since the publication of the White Paper, a focus has been placed on developing the new accommodation model. This work has involved working very closely with the Housing Agency in the development of detailed policy advice papers including an acquisition policy and an ownership model, and since January the purchase of a range of properties across the country.

Thirty two properties have been purchased to date at a cost of €7.7m. All the properties purchased require an element of upgrading to make them habitable and work is currently ongoing with the Housing Agency to develop an Approved Housing Body (AHB) funding scheme, which will put a framework in place for the upgrading, management and ongoing maintenance of the properties.

It is not possible at this stage of the process to release any further information on the properties and their location while the AHB funding scheme is being developed.

In respect of bodies under the aegis of my Department, I can advise the Deputy as follows:

Body Location
Child and Family Agency (Tusla) Tusla will reply directly to the Deputy
Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) The AAI will reply directly to the Deputy.
Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) The OCO will reply directly to the Deputy
Children Detention School (Oberstown) Oberstown will reply directly to the Deputy.
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) The IHREC will reply directly to the Deputy
National Disability Authority (NDA) The NDA will reply directly to the Deputy
An Gaisce – The President’s Award An Gaisce will reply directly to the Deputy

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