Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department is involved in negotiations with a range of accommodation providers across Ireland, and has received an offer of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine for the property known as Castlemacgarrett House in Co. Mayo.

As the property is in need of significant conversion/refurbishment works it was passed on to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for assessment under the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme.

As with all offers of accommodation to accommodate BOTPs, but most particularly with regard to those requiring conversion/refurbishment, a detailed assessment must be carried out to ensure the property being offered is being prepared to the required standard and complies with building and fire regulations. If the property is deemed suitable for use, further communication will issue in advance to all elected representatives and other members of the community.

Both the Ukraine Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team and the International Protection Procurement Services are operating in the context of a severe accommodation shortage. As a result, it is necessary for the Government to place Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and International Protection Applicants in accommodation as and when it becomes available. In such circumstances, the Government will work to ensure that local capacity; resources and knowledge are brought to bear on the overall humanitarian response and will work closely with Local Authorities to ensure a well-co-ordinated and seamless approach.

My Department has also received a proposal for a modular accommodation development for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTPs) fleeing the war in Ukraine at Castlemacgarrett, Co. Mayo.

This offer was made in the context of my Department’s recent launch (November 2023) of an online portal for developer-led modular accommodation on gov.ie where providers can submit expressions of interest. All offers made through the portal are given due consideration, and this process is ongoing.

My Department is unable to give details relating to any specific suppliers while negotiations are ongoing, due to the commercial sensitivity of these negotiations.