Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

131. To ask the Taoiseach the details of the supports that his Department has provided for Ukraine and for Ukrainian people since February 2022, whether in Ukraine or within the State; the number of people supported where relevant; and the estimated cost and value of the support where available [8875/23]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of the Taoiseach is ensuring effective co-ordination of our humanitarian response across all Government departments through the work of the Senior Officials Group. This is assisting the work of the Cabinet Committee on the Humanitarian Response to Ukraine, which I chair. I also have regular engagements with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss matters of concern for their Departments.

Since the start of this war, more than 75,000 people arriving from Ukraine have availed of temporary protection in Ireland. To date, Ireland has accommodated over 78,000 people who have fled here, between international protection applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation, and those fleeing the war in Ukraine who have sought accommodation from the State.

Government is focused on managing ongoing pressures on accommodation and services, and significant capacity challenges in the face of continuing arrivals both from Ukraine and other countries.

Community Fora, set up by Local Authorities, are working effectively across the country, managing the response at the local level.

We’re also developing a more agile response to provide accommodation beyond the use of hotels and tourist accommodation.

We are accelerating the refurbished buildings programme, continuing the unoccupied homes campaign, as well as providing pledged accommodation and rapid-build homes on suitable sites.

The Government is keeping our response to all aspects of this humanitarian crisis, in particular accommodation options, under continuous review.