Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2024
600. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to ensure operators of direct provision centres are flexible when it comes the numbers of nights a resident can be away, i.e., a resident living in an isolated centre, with no access to public transport where they find work would be supported, rather than penalised, for finding work. [24596/24]
View answerIreland and many other European countries are experiencing a significant increase in people seeking International Protection (IP). There are currently over 30,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole compared with approximately 8,700 people at the end of February 2022. In the first 21 weeks of 2024, over 8,300 people have arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation from the State, averaging 398 people per week.
In line with Regulation 4 of the of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), material reception conditions (including suitable accommodation) is offered by IPAS with the requirement that IP applicants reside at an assigned property on a continuous basis or, where absent – such absence is in compliance with accommodation house rules.
The Deputy will be aware that due to the current significant scarcity of accommodation, it is the responsibility of IPAS to ensure that all available accommodation in the State is used effectively - where the use of beds is maximised.
IPAS has produced a document “House Rules & Procedures for Reception and Accommodation Centres”, which outline the procedures followed by IPAS. This document which includes information on absence policy is issued to all residents (IPAs) on arrival.
Residents must notify centre managers of any planned absence - if a resident is absent for an extended period from assigned accommodation without prior authorisation, IPAS will consider the absence as an indication that an applicant is no longer in need of IPAS accommodation and the bed will be reassigned to an incoming international protection applicant.
The Deputy should note that Regulation 6 of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018) provides for the withdrawal of material reception conditions where house rules are not observed by residents.
