Warehouses might be used to house people arriving here from Ukraine amid growing concerns about a shortage of accommodation, RTÉ News has learned.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin told a meeting of his party last night that more than 20,000 people from Ukraine had arrived here since 25 February.
The Government believes that there could be up to 30,000 Ukrainians here by Easter.
The Cabinet was warned on Tuesday that based on a scenario of 900 people arriving here everyday, and 100% of them requiring accommodation, then there would be no further beds available by Easter.
However, while the current situation is decried as "very tight" and "under pressure" this level of need has not been reached yet.
Currently the rolling seven-day average of arrivals is running at 580 per day and the proportion of those seeking accommodation has risen to 81% compared to 74% a week before.
Ministers were also told on Tuesday that some people who had pledged accommodation have now changed their minds.
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Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told his party colleagues yesterday that the country would deal with the humanitarian crisis as best it could.
He said that accommodation at Gormonston Army Camp, at the Millstreet Arena and at City West should be fully in use by Easter.
77 unaccompanied minors have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine
Chief Executive of the Children's Rights Alliance Tanya Ward has said that 77 unaccompanied minors have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, Ms Ward said: "I spoke to Tusla today and they're saying that at the moment that 77 have been referred to them since the beginning of the war and 28 are now currently in their care, at this moment in time, because some of those children have been reunified with family members that happened to be here.
"We wouldn't have expected a lot of unaccompanied minors to come to Ireland to be honest, because it's more appropriate for them to be cared for by people who speak the same language, closer to home really so they can be reunified with their family members where possible."
But she said that some parents are making the "horrendous, very difficult decisions" to send their children away to protect them from conscription and war.
Ms Ward added: "We're likely to have higher numbers arriving in Ireland and I think making sure that Tusla is able to locate those children, they're able to find accommodation options for them, and hopefully more foster care situations because that's the most successful way to look after an unaccompanied minor once they arrive in the country."
The Irish Refugee Council has called on the Government to prioritise existing, unused accommodation supply to house Ukrainian refugees.
In a policy paper, it has acknowledged the public's response in pledging own-door accommodation, however, it has said that the State needed to look at more long-term solutions.
It has suggested that types of readily-available accommodation may include holiday homes which are currently unoccupied; purpose-built 'build to rent’ accommodation and unoccupied and vacant student housing.
Once accommodation options have been exhausted, it has suggested that pledged housing in shared homes can then be utilised.
In addition to prioritising existing, unused accommodation, the Refugee Council also offers recommendations in aiding host families, local communities and wider society in response to incoming refugees.
The CEO of the Irish Refugee Council has said a long-term plan needs to be outlined.
Nick Henderson said a voluntary holiday homes pledge scheme should be established to enable people across Ireland offer these houses as accommodation and that unoccupied purpose-built ‘build-to-rent’ apartment accommodation and student housing could be available for pledged accommodation.
"There are limits to what individuals can do, and information about, and access to, professional support is essential along with exit plans," he said.
Additional reporting Ailbhe Conneely
