Aisling Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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1931. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review his Department’s policy to ensure that when Ukrainians are notified of the cessation of their current accommodation contract, that the alternative accommodation they will be offered is identified to them at that point, not at the point of cessation of the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41084/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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My department is responsible for providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports beneficiaries of temporary protection to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.

All accommodation contracted by my department is temporary in nature and subject to change, and applicants are advised of this when requesting access to temporary accommodation.

Because my department must ensure value for money and an effective system overall, my Department ends contracts as demand for accommodation decreases, and this means some people will be moved to other locations if they still require State-contracted accommodation.

Where a contract is terminated, my department sends updates, through the accommodation providers, to the residents who will be affected, to let them know that the contract is ending with that provider. Residents who wish to continue to receive State-funded accommodation are informed that they will be provided with accommodation at a new location. Following this, an assessment of residents’ medical needs and other relevant requirements, such as family configurations, is made by my department in consultation with the HSE and other relevant bodies.

Once my department has gathered all the required information suitable follow-on accommodation is identified. Once transport arrangements are confirmed, a notification issues to the residents informing them of their new accommodation. Other factors can impact the relocation process including the scale of the move and the capacity of available accommodation in the area.

Every effort is made to keep residents as local as possible, however, given the number of moves that are taking place, this is not always possible. Due to the scale involved, the only factors that can be considered when allocating follow-on accommodation are HSE assessed medical needs. It is not possible to take other issues such as employment or school places into account when allocating follow-on accommodation, and people are encouraged to make their own private arrangements for accommodation if they wish to stay in their current area.

I appreciate that this is not easy for people and that moving location may be disruptive. My Department strives to minimise any such disruption to people and communities while also seeking to ensure that the State is getting value for money and continuing to comply with its obligations under the Temporary Protection Directive.

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 supports are in place in this regard.