Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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1324.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian refugees and international protection applicants housed respectively, in each local election area, as of 24 July 2024, in tabular form.[33963/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The number of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) and that of International Protection Applicants (IPA) by local electoral areas is set out in the table below. The data for BOTPs is not usually collated in this manner and data available for July 2024 has been compiled in this format. This data refers to accommodation supported or provided by this Department.

The CSO publishes regular updates in their series "Arrivals from Ukraine" which provides a range of maps and datasets based on anonymised data from a number of Government Departments and State bodies and includes information on the location of BOTPS (not just those in DCEDIY supported accommodation) (www.cso.ie/en/statistics/population/arrivalsfromukraineinireland/)

">Numbers of BOTPs and IPAs in DCEDIY supported accommodation

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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1325.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the consideration given to school capacities and locations when looking at properties to house Ukrainians and IPAs.[33971/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Ireland is currently providing accommodation to approximately 38,500 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine in State supported accommodation and over 31,900 International Protection applicants in IPAS accommodation. Prior to the war in Ukraine, there were 8,300 applicants for international protection in State supported accommodation.

Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection

My Department is not presently contracting additional accommodation for BOTPs from new or existing providers. This situation will be kept under review.

As part of Government policy, a move to a more sustainable accommodation strategy is underway. 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 accommodation. As a result, my Department is currently consolidating its accommodation portfolio to ensure greater compliance with standards and better value for money.

When the portal for offers of commercial accommodation for BOTPs was open, providers were asked to self-assess the validity of their accommodation offer against my Department’s criteria. These guidelines are available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/44050-guidelines-for-temporary-accommodation-in-existing-buildings-for-those-fleeing-the-war-in-ukraine-single-persons-family-type-accommodation/

The whole-of-Government Ukraine response is being supported by the Community Integration Fora (CIF) in each Local Authority, which are funded by my Department. Through the CIF, BOTPs receive information and support in many areas including healthcare, education and transport.

International Protection applicants

The International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) are continuing to receive and assess offers of accommodation for persons seeking international protection. If a person wishes to submit a commercial offer of a property which is ready for occupancy for potential use by persons seeking international protection, they should submit their offers to:

International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS)

Email: IPPS@equality.gov.ie

Whole of Government response

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the whole-of-Government response has been coordinated by a Cabinet Committee chaired by the Taoiseach. Due to the impact of the dramatic increase in applicants, matters relating to international protection are also addressed at that Committee.

The Cabinet Committee is supported by a Senior Officials Group (SOG) under the leadership of the Department of the Taoiseach. This group meets on a regular basis and issues arising are followed up by the relevant departmental officials as required.

My Department’s Community Engagement Team liaises directly with elected representatives, relevant Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, and other entities and individuals. The CET informs all relevant State support services of the opening of accommodation centres for both BOTPs and IPs, who then prepare any additional supports needed to assist residents to settle in to the local community. The Deputy might wish to refer questions regarding school capacities to my colleague the Minister for Education.