Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it. To date, over 100,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland and approximately 74,000 of those have been referred to my Department seeking accommodation from the State.

Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe was immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types were contracted, including hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies and emergency accommodation.

As part of Government policy, a move to a more sustainable accommodation strategy is under way. My Department is now focused on the stand up of larger-scale designated accommodation centres for new arrivals and a reduction in the overall privately provided accommodation stock being used for BOTPs. My Department is also currently able to cope with arrival numbers using vacancies arising within our existing portfolio, as well as for those who need to be moved due to contracts ending. We are therefore being much more selective in terms of the properties which we will bring in to contract.

The offer to accommodate Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection at the property to which the Deputy refers was rejected on 21 February 2024, as my Department is not currently seeking this format of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.

It should be noted that the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) are continuing to receive and assess offers of accommodation for persons seeking international protection. Commercial offers of properties which are ready for occupancy over the coming weeks for potential use by persons seeking international protection can be submitted to: IPPS@equality.gov.ie

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.

The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie.