Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that in excess of 35,000 beds are contracted to my Department with more than 650 accommodation providers for the purposes of accommodating Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs). This accommodation includes hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering and certain other repurposed settings.

Other accommodation sources include

- Airbnb,

- Pledged accommodation,

- State-owned or private properties that may be suitable for short-term accommodation,

- Accommodation belonging to voluntary bodies,

- Religious properties and

- Local Authority facilities

Overall, given the scale of the unprecedented crisis response, providing access to suitable accommodation for persons fleeing the war in Ukraine remains a significant challenge. In sourcing and securing accommodation, the central consideration is the safety and security of the displaced people fleeing conflict.

I can confirm to the Deputy that a number of properties have been contracted by my Department and are providing accommodation to those seeking shelter and safety in Westport and its environs. The offers of accommodation are greatly appreciated and I commend the efforts of all in that locality and community in assisting those seeking assistance as part of the wider national humanitarian response.

Offers received are reviewed by the relevant division within my Department with a view to assessing the suitability of accommodation to the needs of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. In certain instances, some properties may not have been accepted as the Department does not engage in the procurement of private houses/apartments that may impact on the private residential property market.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department treats all complaints about accommodation with the utmost seriousness and is committed to reviewing and acting on all complaints in a timely and efficient manner.

If a complaint requires an inspection, my Department will arrange for an inspection to be conducted by QTS Health and Safety Ltd on our behalf. If the inspection identifies any issues, my Department will ask the service provider to address them.

If issues of concern are not addressed, my Department has the authority to relocate people to a suitable alternative.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has agreed an inspection template for vacant pledged properties, which includes fire safety criteria. Inspections of suitable pledged vacant properties also take place prior to occupation.

The same criteria, (available to view on the gov.ie website), also applies to properties which a host shares with Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Applicants for the Government Accommodation Recognition Payment must declare that they meet this standard.