Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

101. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of individuals from Ukraine who are being housed in private properties where the owner is in receipt of the recognition payment; if he will provide an update on the number of pledged properties which have been deemed suitable for the placement of a person or family from Ukraine; the number of such persons who have been placed in pledged accommodation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56921/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

I can advise the Deputy that every effort is being made to provide beneficiaries of temporary protection with pledged accommodation that is suitable for their needs. Once a pledge has passed through the inspection process and Garda vetting (where applicable), NGO Implementing Partners and Local Authorities will match BOTPs to suitable pledges. Since the beginning of the pledge programme in April this year, 10,991 pledged properties have been notified to Local Authorities and other NGO Implementing Partners, with a view to assessing their viability and to match beneficiaries to those properties where possible.

In particular, efforts are focused on activating the remaining pledges that are available for placement of BOTPs. At present, 1,064 pledges remain suitable for the placement of a person or family from Ukraine and NGOs and Local Authorities continue to offer these to BOTPs.

As of 15 November, it has been reported to the Department that 5,313 beneficiaries have been matched to 2,009 pledged properties. To date, over €8 million has been paid out to 4,110 applicants of the Accommodation Recognition Payment, in respect of 8,702 temporary protection beneficiaries. This number reflects the fact that hosts are also eligible to apply for the Recognition Payment if they have made private arrangements to accommodate BOTPs, outside of the formal pledge process.