Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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220. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether there are negotiations ongoing between his Department and accommodation providers in Galway city with regard to providing further accommodation for Ukrainian refugees and other asylum seekers; if so, the number of premises involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34548/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Ireland is now accommodating over 85,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants. This compares with 8,300 in February 2022. This includes over 64,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State.

In the context of this crisis, the State is availing of all offers of accommodation made in order to address the urgent accommodation need. As a result of current constraints on temporary accommodation, it is necessary for the Department to transfer Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection to accommodation as and where it becomes available. The Department is considering accommodation offers in all Counties, taking into account existing numbers and available service provision.

The Department is conscious of the need to ensure quality in all accommodation contracted, while also providing shelter and safety urgently to those who need it. In considering offers, the Department takes into account a range of factors such as accommodation suitability, rates, capacity and amenities. Every effort is being made to activate suitable accommodation offers.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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221. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if IPAS will engage with an accommodation provider (details supplied) in County Kerry regarding a commercial offer of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34567/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I want to thank the Deputy for his interest in this matter and indeed to thank all those who have offered accommodation to Ukrainians fleeing the war.

All offers of commercial accommodation must now be made by the updated form published on Gov.ie under point 4.1 of the “Offers of Commercial Accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine – Guidelines”

Offers will no longer be accepted through any other channel.

This is part of the Whole of Government Humanitarian Response and DCEDIY’s ongoing commitment to process improvement throughout our response to the unprecedented humanitarian emergency in Ukraine. If you have a query as to whether or not you have a valid commercial offer of accommodation for the Department to consider, please refer to these offer submission guidelines as publish on Gov.ie under “Offers of Commercial Accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine – Guidelines”

The offer submission guidelines provide clear information on the following:

1. The offer categories DCEDIY will accept for review

2. The essential criteria a valid offer must meet

3. Signposted information on other accommodation offer channels to explore across government, where an offer does not fall within DCEDIY’s accommodation categories’ scope

Please note, the wait time depend on supply and demand (arrivals and offers received) it is time dependent and variable on a lot of factors.

We have currently procured short term accommodation for the summer but this will come off stream in the Autumn, we will see more providers procured then

We appreciate your patience and support as we continue to improve our processes and respond to this unprecedented humanitarian emergency.