The Ukraine and International Protection accommodation systems are currently accommodating almost 50,000 people in State-supported accommodation.
From 2022 to the end of 2024, there was a sudden and sustained increase in numbers of people applying for international protection in Ireland, during the same period as the arrival of over 120,000 people fleeing the war in Ukraine. These arrivals have placed very profound pressure on supply of accommodation across this sector.
The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people in 312 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country, nearly 10,000 of whom are children.
There are currently 548 international protection applicants being accommodated in Co. Kildare.
In relation to accommodation centres, since 2024, once an IPAS accommodation centre is in operation, IPAS has not published details of the specific locations, resident profile, capacity or occupancy of our accommodation centres. This is to protect the safety, security and privacy of residents and staff.
However, IPAS publishes weekly statistics in relation to international protection applicants accommodated by IPAS. This includes a per county breakdown of where IP applicants are residing
These statistics are located on the Gov.ie website: (www.gov.ie/en/international-protection-accommodation-services-ipas/publications/facts-and-figures/).
In relation to Ukraine accommodation centres, the Department is currently consolidating its accommodation portfolio and ending contracts in a range of centres for various reasons. Some contracts are ending due to a reduced need or compliance issues, and some providers chose to end their own contracts.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports people to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.
Currently there are three contracts in place with regard to the accommodation for the Beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection in Co. Kildare with contracted capacity of around 75 beds. Only one contract has been terminated in Co. Kildare since April 2024. The Department does not publicly detail the locations of such accommodation centres in the interest of the privacy and security of residents and providers.
In addition, there are three Designated Accommodation Centres (DACs) in Co. Kildare. Further information regarding the DACs is available on our website [Designated Accommodation Centres] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/designated-accommodation-centres/).
Details of individual contracts are treated as confidential and commercially sensitive. For both IPAS and Ukraine accommodation, there is full transparency from the Department in terms of providers receiving payments, with details of all payments over €20,000 and the recipients published quarterly online at Gov.ie here: [Purchase Orders for €20,000 or above.] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/collections/department-of-children-equality-disability-integration-and-youth-purchase-orders-for-20000-or-above/).[]
