Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2024
369. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, through the recently announced relocation of Ukrainians benefitting from temporary protection he will prioritise the return of active hotel beds to local areas and economies; how this will be balanced against other criteria for ending contracts recently outlined by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27933/24]
View answerSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland. As this is a temporary support, there is an onus on my Department to ensure that its portfolio of accommodation meets the evolving needs of the State’s response to the Ukraine Crisis.
I am grateful for the role that the tourism sector has played so far in accommodating BOTPs, but I am aware that this is not sustainable over the longer term. Due to this, the Government has agreed that a move from an emergency response to a more mainstreamed approach is appropriate, including through a reduced reliance on serviced accommodation, along with the development of other sources of accommodation such as refurbished properties, rapid builds and modular accommodation as part of the all of Government response to this humanitarian crisis, and the unprecedented numbers of people seeking asylum and refuge in Ireland.
In recent months we have seen decreases in arrivals from Ukraine to Ireland, decreases in those arriving who request accommodation from the State and greater numbers of Ukrainians who choose to move on from State accommodation. As a result, my Department is currently seeking to consolidate and rationalise its BOTP accommodation portfolio to ensure value for money and greater oversight.
My Department is making decisions to end commercial contracts in accordance with contractual terms and conditions agreed with providers, on the basis of financial, administrative, other accommodation management reasons or at the request of the accommodation provider. Officials are currently focusing on providers that are in breach of contractual terms.
Tourism properties such as hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses will be among those that are terminated by my Department as part of the consolidation exercise. These providers would be free to return to tourism operations after the BOTPs residing there have been relocated.
