Written answers

Tuesday, 7 March 2023

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

International Protection

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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462. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when IPAS will issue a payment to an accommodation provider (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10922/23]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department has engaged over 700 properties to provide accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. In line with the Department’s commitment to substantially clear the backlog at the end of 2022, I temporarily re-assigned staff from other parts of the Department in December, doubling the size of the payments unit. The enlarged team approved more than 100 million euros worth of payments.

My Department is prioritising maintaining a practice of more timely payments, including providing more resources to address any issues, and outsourcing elements of the process to deliver further efficiencies. Any delays in making payments are deeply regretted and my Department is according this issue very high priority.

I am advised by my officials that the outstanding invoice for this provider – covering September 2022 to February 2023 – is being processed as a priority. In addition, my officials are engaging with the provider to ensure that all documentation is in order to facilitate the necessary setup. A payment is expected to transfer at a point within two weeks, pending final checks.

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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463. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if IPAS plans to extend the contract of an accommodation provider (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10940/23]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic 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 February 2022, the Department Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked to accommodate an unprecedented volume of persons seeking refuge from the invasion of Ukraine, coming to over 75,000 people, of which over 55,000 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, the Department has contracted in excess of 43,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 720 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.

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

The accommodation of displaced persons is greatly appreciated. My Department will continue to work with accommodation providers to ensure there is an adequate supply of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection fleeing the war in Ukraine. In this regard, my Department are currently renewing contracts with our existing providers in chronological order and will be in contact with the provider referred to by the Deputy shortly in relation to renewal of their contract.

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