Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1387. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 214 of 12 July 2023, the additional funding, resources and services that will be put in place in County Cavan if the accommodation offers he is considering are deemed suitable. [37739/23]
View answerSince the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, and the invoking of the temporary protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.
The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx of displaced persons like the one that we have seen over the past 18 months. My Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here.
To date, more than 92,300 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 69,500 of those have been referred to DCEDIY seeking accommodation from the State.
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, a broad range of accommodation types have been contracted, including hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies and emergency accommodation. The priority has been to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
The Government has established a dedicated fund (Community Recognition Fund 2023), under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development, which aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of displaced persons fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The cross-government response is also being supported by the Community Response Forum, a local authority-led programme providing assistance to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. The Forum includes representatives from volunteers, NGOs, the HSE and others at community level across the country who are contributing so much to welcoming and helping those arriving.
The humanitarian response to the crisis throughout Ireland has been overwhelming. I wish to commend the efforts of all those involved in Co Cavan and indeed throughout the country - communities, NGOs, volunteers, community representatives and staff and officials from my own Department and other Departments and State agencies who have contributed to the effort.
My Department and its staff will continue in their efforts to assist those arriving as best as possible, working with colleagues across Government, agencies and those in communities on a coordinated response.
