Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department is now accommodating approximately 73,000 persons between those fleeing the war in Ukraine and those seeking international protection (IPAs).

While efforts are made to notify public representatives and State agencies in advance of utilising a building for accommodation of IPAs, the emergency nature of the response required means that advance communications are not always as comprehensive or as early as the Department would like.

Due to the sheer scale of the present crisis this inevitably means that emergency accommodation of those seeking refuge must be occupied on a faster timeline than would otherwise be the case.

Before the opening of any facility my Department engages with local representatives to provide information as soon as possible following the agreement of terms with contractors.

These constraints limit the time window for advance consultation, however, my Department are cognisant of these issues and are working towards improving advance communications for elected representatives, local authorities and local communities in this regard.

Regarding BOTP accommodation, my Department is regularly in contact and meets with local authorities under the aegis of the City and County Manager’s Association. My officials communicate and discuss accommodation requirements and local authorities have contributed greatly in assisting my Department provide emergency accommodation to those seeking shelter. My Department also engages regularly with key stakeholders in terms of assisting support provision through proving advance notice of relocations to various accommodation locations. This includes liaising with the Department of Social Protection, the Health Service Executive and An Garda Síochana.

The cross-Government response is being supported by the Community Response Forum, a local authority led programme providing assistance to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. The Forum includes representatives from volunteers, NGOs, the HSE and others at community level across the country who are contributing so much to welcoming and helping those arriving.

I and my officials have also met and briefed public representatives and local communities in respect of the implementation of the Rapid-Build Homes Programme and we will continue to do so as further sites come on-stream.

The standard of the response to this unprecedented humanitarian crisis has only been possible due to the remarkable contributions of communities’ right across the country. I and my Department will continue to work with stakeholders in assisting those fleeing the war as best we can.