James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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420. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the exact process by which a centre (details supplied) was brought to his attention as a potential site for housing refugees or displaced persons through the IPAS system or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56103/22]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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421. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of a centre (details supplied) as a potential site for housing refugees or displaced persons through the IPAS system or otherwise; the way in which this site was selected; the criteria that were applied; the consultation that took place with the local authority, local public representatives and the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56104/22]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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422. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the significant concerns raised by senior planners in Kildare County Council regarding the proposed use of a centre (details supplied) to accommodate refugees both in terms of the site’s isolated location, lack of proximity to public transport or support services, as well as detailed concerns regarding the site itself and the proposed design which lacks natural daylight, adequate communal areas, the fact that housing was previously rejected by planners at this site, and many other issues; his views on whether the project should proceed at this location regardless; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56105/22]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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423. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has engaged with Kildare County Council with regard to proposed sites for accommodation of refugees; if his attention has further been drawn to reports that Kildare County Council has identified and proposed several sites to date which it has deemed suitable, which his Department has not engaged upon; the reason for this lack of engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56106/22]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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424. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on whether a site identified by the local authority, deemed suitable by those with local knowledge and professional expertise, which enjoys the support of key stakeholders, would be preferable to a privately procured “brownfield” site with legacy issues, with a view to accommodation for refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56107/22]

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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425. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the decisions taken on the proposed refugee centre at the equestrian centre in Kill, County Kildare to include information on identification of site; the various bases for same, for example, suitability of site and facility services and amenities; and the dates of each and all stages of the process. [56151/22]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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444. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 797 of 8 November 2022, if he will clarify the way in which the building referenced was identified and or the way in which the attention of his and his Department was drawn; if he and or his Department were offered use of the premises by the owner or by a third party; and if he and or his officials will provide minutes of meetings and or conversations that were had with the owner or persons acting on their behalf [56710/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 420 to 425, inclusive, and 444 together.

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 scale of the response to this crisis has been unprecedented and Irish people have displayed a commendable level of generosity in their support, in their welcome for beneficiaries into their communities, and in pledges of accommodation.

In the context of this crisis, the State is availing of offers of accommodation from multiple sources in order to address the accommodation shortfall. Demand for emergency accommodation remains high, with new arrivals to the State daily from Ukraine.

Regarding the matter raised, I can advise the Deputies that multiple sources of offers of accommodation are considered. Full assessments are undertaken of the suitability of sites and structures offered. Offers of accommodation are brought to the attention of my Department and can be submitted to ukraineaccommodation@equality.gov.ie. Upon receipt, officials in my Department review such offers through applying criteria and assess the suitability of each accommodation offer in terms of providing suitable accommodation to the short-term needs of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. My Department does not engage in procuring private residential houses and private apartments and for logistical reasons, offers of accommodation must exceed 15 bed spaces for a review to be conducted.

I can confirm that emergency centres have been opened in other parts of the country. Similar centres are open and operating successfully in Ballyogan, Dublin and Millstreet, Cork. If confirmed for use, this accommodation is intended to house people displaced by the war in Ukraine who have claimed temporary protection in Ireland. This accommodation is intended only for short term use. As more suitable accommodation becomes available – e.g. hotels, guesthouses or pledged accommodation – families will be moved as soon as possible.

Discussions are ongoing about the potential use of the site to which the Deputies refer to and the matter is still under consideration. A briefing with Public Representatives has been provided for on this subject.