Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2024
972. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants currently based in Athlone; and how that compares to the national average across similar sized towns. [45094/24]
View answer973. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants currently based in other large towns (details supplied) and/or are planned for those locations in 2025. [45095/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 972 and 973 together.
There are currently over 32,000 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.
IPAS accommodation is provided at over 320 centres across the country, in every county, with accommodation capacity having increased by more than 400% since 2020.
The Government and this Department is making every effort to accommodate people seeking IP against this backdrop of unprecedented demand. This is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country.
Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country, and at the moment, over 90% of our accommodation options are contracted to the Department from private providers.
Intensive efforts are underway to source and bring into use suitable accommodation facilities, and to move over time toward a greater provision of State-owned beds, in line with the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS).
At this time, given the rapid increase in demand over recent years, the Department has not been in a position to refuse offers of suitable accommodation that meets our requirements. The contracting of properties as emergency centres is dependent on the receipt of offers from external providers, and the Department cannot predetermine their geographical location.
Accommodation in the new strategy is being delivered through the use of State land for prefabricated and modular units, conversion of commercial buildings, and targeted purchasing of turnkey properties.
It will also involve design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres and upgrading of IPAS Centres. This will be supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers.
The degree of control given to the State by the creation of core supply of State-owned accommodation, of both emergency and permanent options, will increase as supply is delivered, re-establishing strategic direction over the accommodation type, location and dispersal pattern.
