Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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472. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the IPAS procurement team engagement with an accommodation provider (details supplied) to secure additional accommodation at this site, including modular homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57613/22]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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487. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline his Department’s engagement with an accommodation provider (details supplied) and the IPAS and BOTP procurement teams to secure additional accommodation at this site, including modular homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57612/22]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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488. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline his Department’s engagement with Mayo County Council and the IPAS and BOTP procurement teams to secure additional accommodation, including modular homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57615/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 472, 487 and 488 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 to the war in Ukraine. 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 Deputies that Breaffy Woods Hotel has been operating as an emergency accommodation centre since mid-March providing accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine.

The provider approached the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) with an additional offer of accommodation in the Breaffy Woods Arena, adjoining the hotel to accommodate international protection applicants (IPAs) and BOTPs.

This facility is now accommodating a mix of IPAs (80%) and BOTPs (20%).

Mayo County Council are fully aware of this project. However, ongoing agreements and contracts between my Department and providers are of a commercially sensitive nature. Therefore, confidentiality must be ensured as such matters form part of my Department’s negotiation process with potential providers.

My Department is working urgently across Government and with agencies, NGOs and local authorities to bring new accommodation on board to meet State’s humanitarian responsibilities. This includes availing of offers of accommodation made to it, including the use of office buildings and sports facilities, to address the accommodation shortfall. These options are necessary in order to provide shelter to international protection arrivals, to meet basic needs and to prevent homelessness.

I can also confirm to the Deputies that no modular housing has been designated for this site.