Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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962. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if International Protection Accommodation Services is in the process of procuring factory premises in Shannon for the provision of accommodation to Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63738/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here from Ukraine. To date, more than 70,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 51,000 of those have been referred to this Department seeking accommodation from the State. 

The wider situation regarding accommodation remains extremely challenging. Ireland is now accommodation in excess of 70,000 persons- between those fleeing the war in Ukraine and those seeking international protection. Further arrivals are anticipated throughout the winter period and my Department continues to procure shelter from multiple sources when it comes to accommodating those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

My Department is not in a position to disclose details of negotiations, nor of commercially sensitive information such as accommodation rates, durations and capacities of individual contractors. We will continue to assist those seeking shelter and security as best we can.