Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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145. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason his Department has failed to respond to a series of requests made regarding the property of a person (details supplied) who previously housed Ukrainian refugees and who wishes to do so again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59717/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I am advised by my officials that the accommodation provider referred to in details supplied has severed ties with the third-party agent previously involved in accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at the property. I am also informed that further to the previous residents vacating the property, new BOTP residents have arrived at the premises as of this week.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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146. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason his Department has failed to respond to requests made regarding a property (details supplied) which has been offered to house Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59741/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department is focused on providing immediate, temporary accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. This has involved entering into arrangements with over 650 providers including hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, with additional capacity operated by voluntary bodies and local authority emergency facilities.

The offer of accommodation has been noted and is appreciated. My Department continues to assess and review all accommodation offers received on an ongoing basis as to their suitability to meet the needs of BOTPs. The focus presently is on those offers of scale that can be activated in a timely fashion and fully meet requirements.

Procurement and contract negotiation with potential and existing providers continues on a daily basis. The Department is also seeking to pivot serviced contracts to give effect to the recent Government decision. I am advised by my officials that due to unprecedented engagement from those making offers there have been some delays in responding to some providers. It is expected that engagement with suitable providers will take place shortly.