Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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1275. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the beneficiaries of temporary protection contract his Department has with a hotel (details supplied) will be extended to allow the Ukrainian residents to remain living there; if not, the steps his Department is taking to source accommodation in the locality for these persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1655/25]

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 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.

As the demand for accommodation for BOTPs decreases, and they make their own independent arrangements for accommodation, my Department is carrying vacancies in commercial contracts. As a result, my Department ends contracts on a regular basis in order to ensure value for money and greater oversight of the portfolio. In 2024, over 400 contracts ended for emergency accommodation, in some cases initiated by the providers in order to return to the private sector, or to offer their accommodation for other uses.

At the same time, the need for accommodation for International Protection applicants is increasing and experiencing significant shortages, with over 3,000 people left without an offer of accommodation in 2024. The provider to which the Deputy refers has expressed an interest in providing accommodation for international protection following the end of the BOTP contract. A temporary pause to these relocations has been put in place to facilitate further consideration and my officials will be in contact with the BOTPs currently resident in this location in due course.

Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements including potentially availing of pledged accommodation if they wish, subject to availability, 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. Details regarding the Offer a Home scheme can be found under www.offerahome.ie.

BOTPS may also explore private rented accommodation either through their own means or with the assistance of Rent Supplement, if eligible. Rent Supplement is a means-tested payment administered by the Department of Social Protection to help meet the cost of private rented accommodation. Their local Department of Social Protection office may be able to provide further information relating to Rent Supplement. Contact details for the local offices can be found on gov.ie (Intreo centres and local branch offices).