Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1795.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian accommodation contracts that have been cancelled due to overcharging, compliance concerns and-or use of unregulated second properties, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31897/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The information is not available in the manner requested by the Deputy, due to ongoing investigations.

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, in line with Government policy. This supports them to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland.

This is a temporary support. My Department aims to ensure that our portfolio of accommodation meets the evolving needs of the State’s response to the Ukraine Crisis.

In recent months we have seen decreases in arrivals from Ukraine to Ireland who are requesting accommodation from the state, and we are now seeing greater numbers of Ukrainians who choose to move on from state funded accommodation. As a result, my Department is currently consolidating its accommodation portfolio to ensure value for money and greater oversight. Priority is given to ending contracts with non-compliant providers.

My Department oversees contractual compliance of its Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) accommodation portfolio through proactive and reactive inspections. Often investigations are initiated from complaints my Department receives through its dedicated Ukraine ticketing system, from external partners such as the Local Authorities and NGOs, and through the work of its Compliance Team.

Investigations by the Compliance Team may result in a termination of a contract but in many cases issues can be addressed and rectified. Issues range from minor property concerns (e.g. repairs needed) to complaints regarding food quality, and also those which cannot be regularised and relate to more serious matters, such as overcharging, the use of secondary properties, health and safety and other concerns. It is the latter group that are prioritised for termination. Other contracts have and will be terminated for consolidation and administrative purposes and to address value for money concerns. Providers can also terminate contracts with my Department, as is permitted in their contractual terms.

Since the Compliance Team was established in June 2023, 278 providers have been investigated for compliance concerns which vary in nature. In this period, 75 providers have been terminated for compliance reasons and 75 providers have been regularised with compliance concerns addressed.

Terminations of non-compliant providers have resulted in moves for 4,100 people. The number of providers on the DCEDIY compliance list changes weekly, and as stated not all of these will require termination.

A further 29 properties received notification of termination of their contracts in June 2024, with the relocation of BOTPs and contract end date scheduled for July 2024.