Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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1134. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the European Union is centrally co-ordinating destination selection for those seeking safe haven in the context of the effective and efficient accommodation of refugees fleeing war-torn Ukraine. [1707/23]

Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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1135. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the methodology that is being used to select the destination, arrange travel and accommodate those seeking safe haven from the war in the Ukraine, assuming there is European Union co-ordination at some level (details supplied). [1708/23]

Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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1136. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the apparent inferior figures among some European Union member states compared with Ireland’s commitments in relation to an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1709/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1134 to 1136, inclusive, together.

Ireland has acted swiftly and compassionately to demonstrate our support and solidarity with the Ukrainian people and my Department continues to work closely with colleagues across Government to ensure a coordinated national response.

As the Deputy will be aware, the EU Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC) was activated by the EU Council in March 2022 in response to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The Directive establishes the minimum standards of protection to be provided by Member States in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons from third countries who are unable to return to their country of origin. Section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015 gives effect to the Directive in national law.

The Council Decision to activate the Directive, places specific obligations on Ireland and on all EU Member States, including the duration of the temporary protection to be awarded and the State supports and services that the beneficiary should be entitled to. Those eligible for Temporary Protection (granted initially for one year, but renewable) will have immediate access to the labour market, social welfare, accommodation and other State supports as necessary.

At the end of 2022 more than 70,000 people displaced by the war in Ukraine have been granted Temporary Protection in Ireland.

Since the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive, the EU Commission has played an integral role in coordinating the overall response at an EU level with a number of operational networks designed to support information sharing and the effective implementation of the Directive. However, this approach to coordination does not extend to destination selection, which is a matter for those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. In accordance with the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382, individuals move to any of the Member States, each of which must accord them protection.

As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, it is difficult to predict with any degree of certainty the number of people that may arrive over the coming weeks. However, the immediate and overriding priority is to assist those who have arrived and continue to arrive in Ireland to find safety with access to state supports as needed, as part of a whole of Government response.

I can assure the Deputy that my Government colleagues and I remain committed to supporting the people and Government of Ukraine for as long as it takes and will continue to work with our EU counterparts on any further EU-wide measures that might be needed to assist those fleeing Ukraine.