Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
624. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the procedures in place where an individual is removed from an IPAS accommodation centre due to breaches of house rules or behavioural issues, including the alternative arrangements, if any, that are made for such individuals; and to indicate whether data is maintained on the number of removals for behavioural reasons in each of the past five years. [32186/26]
View answerUnder the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, people applying for international protection are provided with material reception conditions - this includes accommodation, food, clothing and a Daily Expenses Allowance (DEA).
Not all international protection applicants take up IPAS accommodation, nor are they obliged to, and some people applying for international protection make their own living arrangements independent of IPAS.
When people seeking international protection arrive at any IPAS accommodation centre, they are provided with the ‘IPAS House Rules’ which explains the rules and procedures that are designed to make reception and accommodation centres safe and effective.
Where a resident is repeatedly in breach of the house rules or, following a particularly serious breach, IPAS may relocate them to another accommodation centre.
Usually there are a series of reminders about the house rules and or warnings. If breaches continue, it can be necessary to relocate people following repeated warnings.
In these circumstances IPAS engages directly with the people concerned and the centre management. Any resident who is moved to another centre is required to follow the house rules at that centre.
In instances where there are serious or repeated breaches of the house rules, consideration may be given under Section 7 of the Regulations to amending the reception conditions afforded to a resident. This involves withdrawing IPAS accommodation.
In circumstances where reception conditions are amended, the person will be provided with a letter from IPAS explaining why their reception conditions have been amended, that no further IPAS accommodation will be provided. They are also informed of their right to appeal the decision within 10 working days by email.
I can confirm accommodation was withdrawn from 61 people in 2024, 49 people in 2025, and 14 people in 2026.
