Written answers
Tuesday, 17 October 2023
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
International Protection
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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305. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current situation regarding an application for funding to adapt a building (details supplied) in County Cork as an accommodation centre for refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44700/23]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is the lead Department for the provision and allocation of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. The role of my Department in this area is a supporting role as part of the broader, whole of Government response.
My Department is supporting the whole of Government effort on Ukraine across 3 strands;
- Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Project ;
- “Offer a Home” call; and
- Supporting the Identification of Sites for Rapid Build Homes.
The Department of the Taoiseach has put in place a new structure, the Accommodation Working Group, to consider all strands of accommodation for BoTPs and applicants for International Protection, and to decide on which projects are progressed. In practice, this means collective decisions are made on which buildings to refurbish. These decisions are made by a Technical Working Group (TWG) working under the auspices of the Accommodation Working Group. Membership of the TWG includes my Department, DCEDIY, the Department of the Taoiseach, the Local Government Management Agency and the City and County Management Association.
The property in question has been brought to the attention of my Department by Cork County Council, as a potential project requiring refurbishment to accommodate displaced Ukrainians. As this property is privately owned, it would inappropriate for my Department release specific details. I can confirm however, that at this time, no agreement has been entered into in respect of this property.
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