Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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364. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence 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; the estimated cost and value of the support where available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8862/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has been working across Government in the provision of accommodation and other supports required of the Defence Organisation in response to the Ukrainian crisis since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.

Following a request from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs, lands at Gormanston military installation, Co. Meath were made available for emergency accommodation and for use as a reception centre for Ukrainian nationals from July until October 2022.

Ballymullen Barracks, Tralee, has also been made available to Kerry County Council at their request to accommodate Ukrainian nationals, with a current capacity for up to 60 occupants.

The military installation at Kilbride Camp, Co. Wicklow, has been made available to the Department of Integration for emergency short-term accommodation since November 2022 with a maximum initial capacity for 75 occupants, which increased to capacity for 130 occupants in January on completion of refurbishment works. While the Camp was originally made available for Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection, it is currently being used to accommodate International Protection (IP) applicants at the request of Department of Integration.

In addition to the accommodation supports outlined above, the Defence Forces continue to provide logistical assistance to Department of Integration and HSE in a range of areas (transport and set up and provision of furniture etc.). The Defence Forces also provided support to the Irish Red Cross in progressing the pledges of accommodation received, finishing on 6 May 2022 as agreed with the IRC.

To date approximately 3,500 service days by Defence Forces personnel have been deployed in providing the supports outlined above, along with 385 vehicle movements.

The Air Corps on behalf of the HSE have completed five air ambulances from Poland with Ukrainian patients plus their families. The Department of Defence continues to engage with Department of Housing and the HSE in support of potential future similar assistance.

Since February 2022, Civil Defence volunteer units across the country have been actively involved in providing supports at local authority level for Ukrainians seeking protection in Ireland. This includes setting up and assisting with the management of emergency rest centres and providing tentage for emergency rest centre sites. Civil Defence volunteers are also providing transport from emergency rest centres to pledged accommodation, for school registration and medical appointments etc, and for collecting medications from pharmacies. During 2022, this amounted to 779 taskings and these supports are continuing in 2023 on a daily basis. In addition, a sum of €65,000 was spent by my Department on equipment such as fold-up beds, sleeping bags and blankets for Civil Defence supported emergency rest centres at the outset of the Ukraine crisis in early 2022.

The Department of Defence has provided approximately 10 tonnes or 5,000 units of ready-to-eat meals and 200 units of body armour, with a total value of €275,000, which have been shipped from Defence Forces stocks to Ukraine.

From an EU perspective, while Ireland has constructively abstained on the lethal equipment package to support Ukraine, we are committed to paying our share of the total €3.6 billion EU package of support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces through the European Peace Facility, and our total expected contribution of approximately €77 million will go exclusively to non-lethal elements, consistent with the terms of the Programme for Government. The contribution of the ready- to- eat meals and body armour is a specific element of the Government's contribution through the European Peace Facility. This practical assistance is a further tangible demonstration of Ireland’s support for and solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

In respect of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), the aim of which is to enhance the military capability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to allow them to defend Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders, the Government has approved the participation of up to 30 Defence Forces personnel in the mission. It is anticipated that Defence Forces personnel will commence the delivery of training as soon as the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are matched to the training capabilities being offered by the Defence Forces.

Other than where listed, no separate details of the costs, value or the number of people supported are available for the supports provided by the Defence Organisation in response to this crisis. All such support is being met from within existing resources.