Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 October 2025
264. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the amount that was originally budgeted for the development and implementation of the bedspace bed management system for international protection accommodation beds; the final spend to date on the system, including procurement, development, licensing and ongoing support costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54301/25]
View answer265. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the bedspace bed management system was rolled out; whether the bedspace bed management system is now fully operational for all beds in the international protection system; and if not, to detail which categories of accommodation remain outside the system, and the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54302/25]
View answer266. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the procedure that was used for the management and allocation of beds in international protection system prior to the introduction of the bedspace system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54303/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 264, 265 and 266 together.
BedSpace is a digital bed management service that has enabled our teams to move from a manual processing system to an online, digitised accommodation management system. Bedspace replaces a manual system whereby IPAS and all accommodation centres shared updates on resident numbers, movements and bed availability by weekly returns over email updates.
BedSpace provides the Department with centralised, real-time information on availability within the IPAS accommodation portfolio. BedSpace provides more effective collaboration between teams, reduces the risk of error from manual processes, and improves decision-making capabilities with accurate, up-to-date data. It meets all required standards in terms of data privacy and safety, and has been implemented across relevant teams in IPAS over the last 12 months.
The Bedspace system was developed through adaption of existing technology and capability within the then Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, commencing in late 2024, and going live as planned in February 2025. Use of the system continues within the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration following the Transfer of Functions to this Department in May 2025.
The project cost was €1.1m for phase 1 implementation and this was completed on time and on budget.
