Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 May 2023
242. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether his Department is considering utilising privately owned modular housing developments for accommodation for Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25478/23]
View answerIreland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, my Department has worked extensively to accommodate over 83,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine, of which 60,000 have sought accommodation from this Department.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, the Department has contracted in excess of 47,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 770 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The priority is to place people fleeing the war in safe and secure accommodation.
I am advised by my officials that within the work of the Government Accommodation Working Group established by the Taoiseach discussions are taking place on the feasibility of accessing privately owned modular developments and the steps involved. To date, my Department have not contracted any private modular developments.
