Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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575. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a situation regarding the eviction of refugees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36038/24]

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, in line with Government policy. This supports them to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.

My Department made a decision to end its commercial contract for accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) for the specific property to which the Deputy refers in accordance with contractual terms and conditions agreed with the provider. This was after engagement with the provider by my officials in relation to the compliance issues identified at the property. This engagement included emails with the provider and a visit by an independent inspection company. The relocation of BOTPs from the location to which the Deputy refers is not an eviction.

I am advised by my officials that the property in question is a residential property. It should be noted that my Department does not procure or contract private houses or apartments for a variety of reasons including impact on the private residential market. Therefore, this property can not be regularised.

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, decreases in those arriving who request accommodation from the State and greater numbers of Ukrainians who choose to move on from State accommodation.

As a result, my Department is currently seeking to consolidate and rationalise its BOTP accommodation portfolio to ensure greater compliance with standards and better value for money.

My Department has decided to prioritise ending contracts with non-compliant providers as part of this consolidation. Compliance issues include but are not limited to:

• The health, safety and wellbeing of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in state-supported emergency accommodation.
• Overcharging by providers for the provision of their accommodation.
• Unregulated secondary properties that were being utilised by providers.
• Private and residential properties that were being utilised and retained by the Department when further commercial properties were available.