Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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128. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm if officials from his Department or from the international protection service have engaged with Wicklow County Council or Arklow Municipal District Council regarding the potential use of a location for IP applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50098/23]

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, as part of the Whole of Government response the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked extensively to support approximately 100,000 people who have sought temporary protection in Ireland in fleeing, over 80% of whom have sought State supported accommodation.

My Department is focused on providing immediate, temporary accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. This has involved entering into arrangements with over 980 providers including hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, with additional capacity operated by voluntary bodies and local authority emergency facilities.

I am advised that my Department has not considered the property to which the Deputy refers.