1925. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the criteria applied by his Department when selecting possible locations for the placement of international protection applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection in any given area; and what consideration is given to the level of availability of essential services such as medical, dental, education and transport services at the locations being considered prior to the Department approving their use. [33314/24]

Ireland is currently providing accommodation to approximately 47,800 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine in State supported accommodation and over 31,300 International Protection applicants in IPAS accommodation. Prior to the war in Ukraine, there were 8,300 applicants for international protection in State supported accommodation.

My Department is not presently contracting additional accommodation for BOTPs from new or existing provider.  This situation will be kept under review.

When the portal for offers of commercial accommodation for BOTPs was open, providers were asked to self-assess the validity of their accommodation offer against my Department’s criteria. These guidelines are available at:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/44050-guidelines-for-temporary-accommodation-in-existing-buildings-for-those-fleeing-the-war-in-ukraine-single-persons-family-type-accommodation/

As part of Government policy, a move to a more sustainable accommodation strategy is underway. In recent months we have seen decreases in arrivals from Ukraine to Ireland who are requesting accommodation from the state and we are now seeing greater numbers of Ukrainians who choose to move on from state accommodation. As a result, my Department is currently consolidating its accommodation portfolio to ensure greater compliance with standards and better value for money.

The International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) are continuing to receive and assess offers of accommodation for persons seeking international protection. If a person wishes to submit a commercial offer of a property which is ready for occupancy for potential use by persons seeking international protection, they should submit their offers to:

International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS); Email: IPPS@equality.gov.ie

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the whole-of-Government response has been coordinated by a Cabinet Committee chaired by the Taoiseach. Due to the impact of the dramatic increase in applicants, matters relating to international protection are also addressed at that Committee.

The Cabinet Committee is supported by a Senior Officials Group (SOG) under the leadership of the Department of the Taoiseach.  This group meets on a regular basis and issues arising are followed up by the relevant departmental officials as required.  For example, the HSE is provided with information regarding new accommodation centres coming on stream and the numbers of BOTPs and IPs in State provided accommodation across Ireland. These meetings enable officials in the relevant Department and Agencies to provide any additional supports for communities, if required.

My Department’s Community Engagement Team liaises directly with elected representatives, relevant Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, and other entities and individuals.  The CET informs all relevant State support services of the opening of accommodation centres for both BOTPs and IPs, who then prepare any additional supports needed to assist residents to settle in to the local community.

The whole-of-Government Ukraine response is also being supported by the Community Integration Fora (CIF) in each Local Authority, which are funded by my Department. Through the CIF, BOTPs receive information and support in many areas including healthcare, education and transport.