Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

368. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review the decision to relocate beneficiaries of temporary protection from the Franciscan Friary and Dominican Friary, Drogheda, to Drumcar County Louth; the reason the Franciscan and Dominican friaries will no longer be used to house beneficiaries of temporary protection; if his Department has plans to use these friaries for alternative purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37520/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

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. The residents of these premises have been notified of the termination, which is planned for the first week in October

The properties to which the Deputy refers were contracted by the Local Authorities. The future use of the properties would be a matter for the property owners. My Department currently has no plans to use these properties to accommodation BOTPs or International Protection (IP) applicants at this time.

Every effort will be made to keep BOTPs as local as possible, however, given the number of moves that will take place over the next few months, 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 will be encouraged to make their own arrangements if they wish to stay in their current area. All accommodation provided by my Department is temporary, and BOTPs are informed of this when they request accommodation from the State.

Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements including potentially availing of pledged accommodation if they wish, 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.

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).

I would like to take this opportunity to thank accommodation providers for their contribution to Ireland’s response to this humanitarian crisis. Commercial accommodation providers contracted to my Department have played a valuable part in supporting this response.”