Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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795. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a reply will issue to a query which this Deputy raised with the Ukraine temporary accommodation unit on behalf of a person who contacted the unit regarding vacant accommodation which they have available to accommodate Ukrainian nationals (details supplied); the reason for the delay in responding to this query despite the fact that all Government agencies have put out an urgent call for vacant properties to be made available to accommodate Ukrainian nationals due to a lack of available accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55536/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Regarding the matter raised, I can confirm to the Deputy that the correspondence has been received and my officials are currently reviewing same.

I apologise for the delay in responding, due to an extraordinary volume of correspondence on hands in the procurement unit. My officials are currently reducing the backlog and patience is appreciated in this regard.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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796. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a reply will issue to correspondence which this Deputy forwarded to the Ukraine temporary accommodation unit on behalf of a Ukrainian national who wishes to transfer from current accommodation (details supplied); the reason for the delay in responding to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55537/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I am advised by my officials that correspondence relating to the individual in the details supplied was received on 21 October and that an interim reply issued stating that the query has been forwarded for consideration. In the interim, my officials have been advised that the individuals concerned have secured alternative accommodation and the enquiry has accordingly been closed.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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797. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline his plans for the use of a building and lands (details supplied). [55614/22]

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, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth 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.  

The Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more than 56,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 45,000 of those have been referred to us 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 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. The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation. 

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. 

Discussions are ongoing at this stage between the Department and the provider of the building which the Deputy referred to about its potential use to house Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Should the contract be agreed, the facility is intended to be for families (mothers, fathers and children) and single females.