Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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981. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason his Department did not contract a property (details supplied) for the provision of humanitarian accommodation for individuals fleeing conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13791/23]

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 February 2022, my Department has worked to accommodate an unprecedented volume of persons seeking refuge from the invasion of Ukraine with over 77,000 people arriving in Ireland, of which, 57,000 have sought accommodation from this Department.

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 750 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.

I am advised by my officials that direct contact has been made with the party referred to by the Deputy confirming that the offer submitted did not meet the essential criteria to be considered for contract with this Department, details of which can be found here.

It should also be noted that my Department does not procure or contract private houses or apartments for a variety of reasons including impact on the private residential market.

I also wish to draw attention to the Government announcement in November 2022 regarding the call for offers of unoccupied houses, apartments or holiday homes. The campaign to assist those fleeing the war in Ukraine may be of interest in the context of the above offer. Further information can be accessed at offerahome.ie

Contact details are at Offer a Home for the relevant local authority, which will be happy to answer any questions about the programme or what an owner can expect if they offer a property.