Work on identifying suitable sites for modular-build homes to house refugees arriving from Ukraine is already underway, according to the Taoiseach.

Speaking in Washington DC this afternoon, Micheál Martin said Cabinet had agreed to take in a further 500 people who fled the invasion into Moldova.

He said some 6,646 refugees have already arrived in Ireland, noting that “thousands of units of accommodation” have been secured through hotels, Bed & Breakfasts and other facilities.

Mr Martin said officials were also working through housing pledges received through the Red Cross portal, with properties that are currently empty being prioritised.

Ukraine

He said officials are “very conscious” that anyone offering to take somebody into their home needs to be properly vetted – insisting work on vetting will begin in the coming days.

“Cabinet today decided to accept 500 refugees from Moldova - Ukrainian refugees that fled into Moldova - given the enormous pressure Moldova is under at the moment,” he said.

“We will be taking those refugees in towards the end of this week and that is in addition to those that have come in already.”

Modular-build homes

Asked when the State would start building modular units to house refugees, the Taoiseach said “planning is already underway in respect of that” and noted that the Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien updated Cabinet on the process this morning.

He said officials have been getting “a good response in terms of hotels and various other facilities” – with thousands of housing units already secured.

Meanwhile, officials are working through pledges of accommodation received through the Red Cross.

Vetting

Questioned on reports a landlord in Clare had attempted to advertise a sex-for-rent arrangement to people fleeing Ukraine, Mr Martin said officials are “very conscious” that anyone offering accommodation to refugees must be fully vetted.

“I think that is morally reprehensible that kind of behaviour, but the minister is very conscious about that,” he said.

“Those experienced in this field are very conscious that there has to be vetting and they are working with Tusla and Gardaí in respect of what would be the proper vetting procedures to be adopted to make sure we protect children in particular in situations like this.

“Now, in some instances, as has been pointed out, there will be parents with those children in certain locations so the challenge may not be as high as it may be in other situations, but we are very conscious of it and that is why we are not putting pressure on anyone. We don’t need to.

“Many people are coming forward. What the Red Cross are saying with the minister and that department is they want to take it step by step to make sure we do it right with proper standards applied.”

Asked whether he would be taking anyone into his own home, the Taoiseach said that was “a personal decision we will take as a family”.

Reporting from Seán Defoe in Washington.