In line with the Programme for Government 2025, and the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for International Protection approved in 2024, the State is working to develop more State-owned international protection accommodation, and reduce reliance on commercial providers over time.
This will see a move away from full reliance on private providers and towards a core of State-owned accommodation, delivering a targeted 14,000 State-owned beds by 2028. This will be supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers.
This strategy is being implemented through a range of strands:
• Use of State land for prefabricated and modular units
• Conversion of commercial buildings
• Targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties
• Design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres
• Upgrading of IPAS centres.
In terms of purchases, an Expression of Interest (EOI) process was launched in 2024 for the sourcing of suitable properties for acquisition or lease. 134 submissions have been received to date, and these options are being assessed.
Separate to this expression of interest process, Cabinet approval for the State purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for international protection accommodation was secured this year, on 17 June 2025.
The EOI process mentioned above and the direct purchase of Citywest are separate strands of the same strategy, and do not interfere with one another, but rather allow the State to progress towards its goals.
With the purchase of Citywest now complete, the IPAS system has increased its State-owned beds from 900 in mid-2024, to 4,000 today.
