Alan Dillon
Question:24. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on a Humanitarian Response to Ukraine will next meet. [32820/23]
View answerWednesday, 12 July 2023
Questions (24)
Written answers
The Cabinet Committee on the Humanitarian Response to Ukraine last met on Thursday, 6th of July.
This Committee, which I chair, works to ensure a coordinated approach to the State’s humanitarian response for people arriving from Ukraine who have sought Temporary Protection here.
The Government’s coordinated response to the humanitarian crisis is extensive. Since the start of this war, more than 87,500 people arriving from Ukraine have availed of temporary protection in Ireland.
To date, Ireland has accommodated over 89,000 people in state-sourced accommodation, between people who have fled here from Ukraine and people in international protection IPAS accommodation.
In the face of continuing arrivals, work is ongoing across Government to develop a medium-term, sustainable accommodation response.
All departments and agencies, as well as local government, are working to co-ordinate the State’s humanitarian response at a national and local level, with a particular focus on sourcing suitable accommodation in response to current demand pressures.
To date, the State’s response includes: continuing the national #offerahome campaign; providing pledged accommodation; preparing for installation of the next tranche of rapid-build homes over the summer period; and accelerating the refurbished buildings programme, that now includes consideration of commercial properties and sites for development, refurbishment or purchase and the use of alternative modular buildings.
Work is also ongoing across Government to intensify communications and community engagement on the humanitarian response.
In addition to meetings of the Cabinet Committee, I have regular engagements with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss matters of concern for their Departments. Government continues its work with all relevant departments and agencies on the provision of services as part of the humanitarian response, including health services and education.
The Government is keeping our response to all aspects of this humanitarian crisis, in particular accommodation options, under continuous review.