Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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136. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will confirm that an exempted development regulation for the change of use of a wide repository of buildings was signed into law on 29 November 2022; if local authorities, including Dublin City Council, are obliged to put new planning and fire safety procedures in place in respect of buildings to be used for the purpose of accommodating Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection; the person or body that his Department deals with in Dublin City Council in relation to such matters; if a building (details supplied) is being considered for accommodating Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection; if the provisions of the exempted development regulation are being considered in respect of the use of this building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6283/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022 took effect on 23 June 2022.

The regulations were made under Section 3 of the European Communities Act 1972 and give effect to Council Directive No. 2001/55 EC and Council Implementing Decision EU 2022/382 of 4 March 2022, to provide immediate protection in EU countries for persons displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including the need to provide emergency accommodation and support to displaced persons. The regulations along with the accompanying circular EUIPR 3/2022 are available on the gov.iewebsite at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/circular/ec1ca-european-union-planning-and-development-displaced-persons-from-ukraine-temporary-protection-regulations-2022/

My Department is continuing to support the whole of government response to the war in Ukraine and has taken responsibility for certain elements, in order to provide support and assistance to the Department of Children, Equality, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) as it continues to lead the humanitarian response, including the provision of accommodation and related supports. DCEDIY remains the Department with lead responsibility for both the provision of accommodation for refugees and International Protection applicants.

There is a need to preserve confidentiality with respect to buildings notified for potential refurbishment, particularly if those buildings are privately owned. Discussions on such buildings involve commercial negotiations and a procurement process, which are part of my Department's deliberative process. I am not in a position therefore to comment on, or confirm the position with regard to any privately owned buildings that may have been notified as potentially suitable for refurbishment.