Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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424. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a matter (details supplied) as part of Ireland’s Ukrainian response. [6589/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Ireland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since 24 February 2022, my Department has worked to accommodate an unprecedented volume of persons seeking refuge from the invasion of Ukraine, coming to over 74,000 people, of which over 54,000 have sought accommodation.

Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, my Department has contracted in excess of 43,500 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 700 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.

The priority is to place people fleeing the war in safe and secure accommodation.

The suggested accommodation site is greatly appreciated. My Department continues to assess and review all accommodation offers received on an ongoing basis as to their suitability to meet the needs of beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. I am advised that from a review of Departmental records that the suggested premises has not been offered to my Department for accommodation purposes.

As agreed by Government, an Accommodation Working Group, chaired by Conn Murray, former CEO of LImerick County Council, has been established to support DCEDIY, DHLGH and Local Authorities in the agile delivery of accommodation required, including the refurbishment programme.

In the context of the above suggestion, I would advise that the information and details be submitted to the Department of Housing who lead in regard to the Emergency Refurbishment Programme.