Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

228. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the preparations that have been made to deal with the anticipated further influx of Ukrainian refugees throughout 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6405/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on meeting the immediate accommodation needs of those fleeing the conflict.

My Department is focused on the short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more than 73,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 54,000 of those have been referred to this Department seeking accommodation from the State.

In excess of 700 contracts are in operation to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Currently contracted accommodation capacity at present comes to approximately 42,000 beds in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.

In sourcing and securing accommodation, the central consideration is the safety and security of the displaced people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

As per Government decision of 28 October, a new policy standardising the accommodation offer and providing for greater equity has been introduced. The policy seeks a contribution towards the cost of meals from BOTPs who are in full board accommodation. My Department has adopted a phased approach in implementing the Government decision by converting full board contracts to the new contracts as they fall due/expire. My Department is engaged in a market testing exercise with providers. Early indicators are positive but negotiations are ongoing.

If arrivals continue at the current rate (daily average of 180), 11,000 additional BOTPs will potentially seek accommodation on arrival, between now and the end of March 2023. As tourist season approaches, there is also a risk of losing beds when some providers choose to return to accommodating tourists for summer 2023, generating significant knock-on impacts to bed spaces for refugees across the system. My Department is now reaching limits of capacity within the serviced accommodation market, with offers of serviced accommodation still being received, but at a smaller scale.

Contingency Planning continues and my Department continues to consider multiple streams when it comes to procuring accommodation.

My Department introduced a new accommodation offer management process on January 23. The updated system is now the only channel through which offers will be accepted for review. The objective of the new portal is to streamline the offer process and deliver efficiencies. New offer submission guidelines have been produced and are available to view on the Gov.iewebsite.

Efforts to secure additional accommodation include the continued matching of pledge offers. Since March 2022, my Department in collaboration with the Irish Red Cross and the Implementing partners has contributed to ensuring as many appropriate pledge offers as possible have been activated. To date, over 6, 400 beneficiaries of temporary protection have been accommodated in over 2,700 properties. The Irish Red Cross will resume ownership of the pledge process in 2023 with the objective of advancing matches to the greatest extent possible.

My Department is also collaborating with the OPW in implementing the rapid build homes programme. The Government has approved the construction of 700 rapid build homes with the potential to house up to 2,800 individuals in family units. The rapid build homes will be constructed on state owned land. The objective is to install 500 units by March/April 2023. After a programme of engagement with local representatives and local authorities, work has begun on the first phase of sites. Further sites will come on stream in the coming weeks following the completion of suitability assessment work. My Department is working with other Departments and agencies (D/Health, D/Education, HSE) to ensure that the additional resources needed are in place.

My Department continues to engage with sporting organisations and other bodies to bring any other venues or other suitable buildings on stream to house those fleeing the war in Ukraine. My Department is also working as a member of the Senior Officials Accommodation Working Group set up by the Department of an Taoiseach and including the Department of Housing to advance certain refurbished properties in a timely manner. The unoccupied homes campaign is also coordinated by Local Authorities and as of 25 January, over 1150 offers have been made via the latter with 179 allocated and providing a home for 618 Ukrainians.

My Department is collaborating with both the D/Defence and Defence Forces in procuring additional temporary accommodation facilities. Kilbride Army Camp has been operating as a temporary rest centre since 7 November 2022. My Department in partnership with the Defence Forces are actively involved in securing alternative suitable accommodation facilities which may assist in providing shelter throughout 2023.

My Department regularly meets with the Local Authorities through the auspices of the City and County Managers’ Association to review and plan for the establishment of temporary accommodation rest centres. This interaction and engagement will continue throughout 2023 as my Department seeks to source and provide the accommodation required to meet the unprecedented demand.

Officials from my Department will continue to engage with the Department of the Taoiseach, which has responsibility for chairing an all of Government Senior Officials Group (SOG), which meets regularly to consider and review matters relating to the accommodation needs and requirements of those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The humanitarian response to the crisis throughout Ireland has been overwhelming. I wish to commend the efforts of all those involved - NGOs, volunteers, community representatives and staff and officials from my own Department and other Departments and State agencies who have contributed.

My Department and its staff will continue in their efforts to assist those arriving as best they can throughout 2023, working with colleagues across Government, agencies and those in communities on a coordinated response.