Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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146. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that payment to a commercial premises housing Ukrainian refugees (details supplied) has been outstanding for the past four months; if an indication can be given as to when payment will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15680/23]

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 following the invasion of Ukraine with over 78,000 people arriving in Ireland, including 57,000 who 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, my Department has contracted in excess of 47,000 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 informed by my officials that no formal agreement is currently in place between my Department with the accommodation provider referred to. My Department is examining the situation to put in place arrangements as necessary. Any payments due will be processed as soon as possible.