Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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136. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will advise on a case (details supplied). [8268/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department has been at the forefront of the cross-governmental response to the displacement of Ukrainian people caused by the 2022 invasion. As of February, we are proving accommodation to over 56,000 people in short term accommodation and over 17,000 people in pledged accommodation and the offer a home scheme.

The accommodation provided to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine by my Department is mainly temporary in nature and given the number of people that are being accommodated it is not possible to develop tailored solutions for individuals or families, unless it is for a serious medical need as agreed with the HSE. In seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations.

Outside of State funded temporary accommodation, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) are entitled to make their own private arrangements including potentially availing of pledged accommodation, and can avail of some supports to do so. Those wishing to avail of pledged accommodation in any given area should contact the Local Authority in that area or the Irish Red Cross pledge process. The Irish Red Cross can be contacted by email at registerofpledges@redcross.ie or by phoning 1800 50 70 70.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Contractual arrangements for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres are deemed confidential and commercially sensitive.

It would not serve the public interest to divulge the value of contracts held to contractors for services, as it could prejudice the Department's negotiating position to deliver value for money with respect to other accommodation providers and locations.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I thank the Deputy for his question and his continued engagement on this matter. As indicated yesterday to the Deputy in the Dáil chamber, officials in my Department are in discussions with the property owner to investigate different configurations which may allow for the retention of some space within the property to continue to provide a service to the general public. It is not clear at this stage if this will be possible, however discussions are ongoing. As the Deputy will be aware, I plan to meet with representatives from the Drogheda business community on this matter.