Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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283. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if approval will be granted for a property (details supplied) in County Kerry for temporary accommodation purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5636/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department continues on an ongoing basis to assess and review all accommodation offers received  as to their suitability to meet the needs of beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. As part of this process, my Department reviews suitable accommodation where individual properties can provide a minimum of 15 bed spaces in line with standard space requirements.

Properties cannot be amalgamated in order to meet the 15 spaces requirement as my Department does not enter into commercial arrangements for individual private houses or apartments. An exception is made to this rule in the case of owners of holiday home villages where the entire development will be considered for contract for accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. 

Accommodation offered must meet the Department of Housing standards applicable to accommodation for homeless people. In reviewing an offer, the Department also considers the local amenities available including ease of transport to schools and shops. There is no guarantee that my Department will contract for every property offered. 

Procurement and contract negotiations with potential and existing providers continues on a daily basis. The focus presently is on those offers of scale that can be activated in a timely fashion and fully meet requirements. My Department is also working to pivot certain full board serviced contracts to bed only to give effect to the Government decision of 28 October 2022.

All offers of commercial accommodation in support of those fleeing the war in Ukraine must now be made through our dedicated portal. Any offer to my Department must be submitted using this process. Offers will no longer be accepted through any other channel. Further information on the updated offer management process, including a link to the portal, can be found online at gov.ie- Offers of Commercial Accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine (www.gov.ie)

I can assure the Deputy that my Department continues to proactively procure and secure accommodation from multiple streams in terms of providing shelter to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. My Department will continue to assist those seeking shelter and security as best it can as part of the overall humanitarian response.