Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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283. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the activities that his Department has engaged in to deliver additional accommodation opportunities for those recently migrating to Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60117/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the Temporary Protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.

The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx of displaced persons like the one that we have seen over the past months.

Ireland is now accommodating over 64,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants. This includes over 47,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) who have sought accommodation from the State and over 17,000 International Protection applicants currently in IPAS accommodation. This compares with 7,500 at the same time last year. My Department has sourced accommodation for the equivalent of the population of Waterford City in the last six months.

BOTP Accommodation

Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. The Government is resolute in its solidarity and support for Ukraine, and huge efforts are being made to source facilities that will provide those arriving in Ireland with safety and shelter.

Contracts with over 650 providers have been put in place with over 37,000 beds in hotels, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other emergency and repurposed accommodation. Sporting facilities, army and tented facilities are also being used to provide shelter and security. Additional capacity has also been sourced and provided in cooperation with Local Authorities in the form of temporary accommodation and rest centres.

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.

To date just over5,445 beneficiaries have been housed in pledged accommodation and this number increases every day through work of various implementing partners working on the ground. Every effort is being made to activate the small number of remaining suitable pledge offers where necessary vetting and inspection procedures are completed. The current target remains to house 6,000 arrivals into pledges. As of 25 November, over €8.4 million has been paid out to over 4,200 applicants in respect of approximately 9,300 temporary protection beneficiaries as part of the Annual Recognition Payment Scheme, which in addition to accommodation pledged through the Irish Red Cross, is also payable to hosts who have made private arrangements to accommodate Beneficiaries in their homes.

While managing the current challenges in accommodating so many people, my Department is also working hard on solutions that will allow us to shelter people from Ukraine in the time ahead.The Government is rolling out a rapid build modular housing programme to provide accommodation for Ukrainian families fleeing the war in their country. The rapid build modular homes will be highly energy efficient, durable units with a 60 year lifespan and the development of the sites will be conducted in an environmentally sustainable way. Now in progress, the programme aims to provide 500 rapid build homes to 2,000 Ukrainians, predominantly women and children, at several sites across Ireland.

The HSE has been notified of the proposed number of residents for each site and associated potential healthcare needs. The Department of Education is planning for the extra school places that may be needed.

As per the Government decision of 28 October, my Department is also contributing in helping to transition from an emergency response to a more mainstreamed approach in an attempt to maximise all existing capacity, bring greater consistency and ensure equity for all those who rely on State supports.

My Department has begun the process of compiling a searchable database of accommodation offers. We will conduct a review of all offers received and ensure a response issues to all, in so far as possible. We are also planning and developing a more streamlined process for managing offers, and will be rolling out a new portal and process where interested parties may make a renewed offer of properties. There will be clear criteria set down outlining the type of properties we will be seeking to procure, and this will be the only mechanism by which to make an offer.

IP Accommodation

The Department is availing of all suitable offers of accommodation made to us, including the use of office buildings and sports facilities, to address the accommodation shortfall and we are working urgently across Government and with agencies, NGOs and local authorities to bring new accommodation on board to meet the State’s humanitarian responsibilities.

In the immediate term, emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country. There have been circa 40 accommodation locations utilised since January across 13 counties. In addition, The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) is sourcing vacant office buildings and state-owned properties in order to increase available accommodation. A number of these projects are currently being progressed.

In regard to longer-term needs, a republished tender process for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) to provide more own-door accommodation closed on 8 November. The IPPS will begin site visits to potential locations shortly. It is expected that successful tenderers from this republication will be added to accommodation provider panels in Quarter 1 of 2023.

I trust this information is of assistance.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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284. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of review officers appointed to review decisions under S.I. No. 230/2018 - European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, Article 20.(1)(a) and Article 20.(1)(d); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59905/22]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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285. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of review decisions issued under Article 20.(1)(a) and Article 20.(1)(d); the outcomes of each of those decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59906/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 285 together.

Under the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is legally required to provide material reception conditions in the form of accommodation and services to international protection applicants who seek it while their claim for international protection is being determined by the International Protection Office. I wish to confirm that to date no International Protection Applicant (IPA) has had material reception conditions withdrawn. As a consequence, a review process has yet to be invoked.