2250. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to outline the current responsibilities of his Department in respect of beneficiaries of temporary protection, TP, in Ireland; the responsibilities which now rest with other Departments in relation to their accommodation, income supports, housing and integration; and if he will provide clarity as to the lead Department responsible for the overall co-ordination of Government policy concerning beneficiaries of temporary protection. [60897/26]

2253. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of beneficiaries of TP currently accommodated by the State who, following the introduction of the revised accommodation arrangements, are expected to remain eligible for State-supported accommodation on grounds such as age, disability or other vulnerability; the projected capacity required to accommodate this cohort; whether sufficient designated accommodation capacity is currently available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60891/26]

2254. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether an application or approval process exists whereby an accommodation provider whose contract for the provision of accommodation to beneficiaries of temporary protection has recently been terminated may apply to become a designated accommodation centre for persons who remain eligible for State-supported accommodation; the criteria applying to the designation of such centres; whether former or existing beneficiaries of temporary accommodation, BoTP, accommodation providers may apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60888/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2250, 2253 and 2254 together.

My Department is responsible for providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to persons who have fled the war in Ukraine and received Temporary Protection in Ireland. My Department also registers arrivals at points of entry and provides Temporary Protection Certificates.

Under the Local Integration Model, my Department funds teams of staff in the 31 Local Authorities to provide orientation and community integration supports to a range of humanitarian migrants, including those with Temporary Protection. The Model was developed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the County and City Management Association, and the LGMA. Responsibility transferred to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration in 2025.

Local Authority Integration Teams (LAITs) provide information, advice and guidance to facilitate access to supports required to participate in Irish life and live independently. They provide connection to services, e.g. healthcare, English language supports, employment and volunteering opportunities, that can help new arrivals to live independently in their community. LAITs do not replace mainstream service provision but support persons in accessing services appropriate to their needs.

Other Departments and Agencies are also involved in the whole-of-Government response to this crisis:

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and local authorities provide assistance to people with Temporary Protection in sourcing hosted accommodation.

The Department of Health has responsibility for policy relating to the healthcare needs of people fleeing the conflict.

The Department of Social Protection has responsibility for the provision of access to social welfare benefits and income supports.

The Government has approved the phased withdrawal of State-funded accommodation for people from Ukraine who arrived before March 2024 and who have been in receipt of State accommodation on an ongoing basis. Ireland's State-funded accommodation model for people fleeing Ukraine has been more extensive than that available in many other EU Member States.

There are currently over 13,000 people in non-time bound State-contracted commercial accommodation who will be affected by the accommodation wind-down.

An application process for people currently residing in State-contracted commercial accommodation who require ongoing State accommodation support and who meet specified criteria opened on 4 August 2026 and will remain open until 11 September 2026. Individuals seeking continued State-supported accommodation are required to self-declare their need for support and provide appropriate documentary evidence in support of their circumstances.

As the application process remains open, data on the number of applicants seeking ongoing State accommodation will not be available until the application period has closed and all applications have been assessed and processed. Accordingly, the number of people with Temporary Protection who will remain eligible for State-supported accommodation on grounds such as age, disability or other vulnerability criteria is not yet available.

My Department will remain in contract with a number of accommodation centres to accommodate those who are eligible for ongoing accommodation support. The changes are being introduced on a phased basis to allow residents who are impacted time to access the information and supports available to them.

My Department is not currently procuring any further new accommodation centres for use as Designated Accommodation Centres. Based on current assessments of accommodation demand, my Department is satisfied that sufficient accommodation capacity is available at present and will continue to keep requirements under review as applications are processed.

People with Temporary Protection who are no longer eligible for State-supported accommodation may apply for housing and income supports, subject to the statutory eligibility criteria applying to those schemes. Responsibility for the administration of these supports and any guidance relating to their operation rests with the relevant Department.

My Department will continue to work closely with all relevant Government Departments to ensure a coordinated approach to supporting beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in Ireland.