Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
685. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the prevalence of physically disabled persons who have entered Ireland seeking international protection since vulnerability assessments recommenced on 11 November 2024; and whether there are plans in place to recommence use of the vulnerability assessments for single male IP applicants, rather than the vulnerability triage that is currently offered. [32948/26]
View answerIn accordance with S.I. No. 230/2018 - European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 , IPAS is obliged to assess whether a recipient has special reception needs, and if so, the nature of those needs.
The Regulations define a number of categories of vulnerability which include a person who is a minor, an unaccompanied minor, a person with a disability, an elderly person, a pregnant woman, a single parent of a minor, a victim of human trafficking, a person with a serious illness, a person with a mental disorder, and a person who has been subjected to torture, rape or other form of serious psychological, physical or sexual violence. In addition to these categories, IPAS gives consideration to persons who are LGBTQ+.
A voluntary Vulnerability Assessment Programme is in place to assess special reception needs. Where a vulnerability is identified, the person is sign posted to relevant services and the information is also used by IPAS to appropriately accommodate people. It is important to note that the majority of vulnerabilities can be addressed in all IPAS accommodation.
Following a pause in Vulnerability Assessments during 2024, the programme recommenced in November 2024, with assessments for families. From July 2025, couples and single females have also been included in the programme.
Table: Physical disability identified through the Vulnerability Assessment
|
Date |
Number |
|
2024 |
2 |
|
2025 |
18 |
|
2026 (to date) |
23 |
|
Total |
43 |
If a vulnerability or disability emerges or is advised to IPAS after a person or family has already been accommodated and they require accessible or more suitable accommodation in a particular location on medical grounds, applicants or those advocating on their behalf are asked to submit a referral form in accordance with the IPAS Protocol for Medical Transfer or the IPAS Protocol for Medical Considerations.
Referrals enable the person’s medical professionals to outline the accommodation requirements including mobility, proximity to hospital or other service which are then used by IPAS to identify the most suitable accommodation available within its portfolio.
The Department is currently not in a position to provide accommodation to all single male International Protection Applicants due to the severe shortage. A Vulnerability Triage is offered to single male International Protection applicants.
The Vulnerability Triage aims to identify the most vulnerable and ensure that they are prioritised for accommodation and includes, where required, an initial health review by the HSE.
Accommodation supply for this group of applicants remains under significant pressure at this time and the Department is working on an ongoing basis to maximise the use of the limited capacity across the accommodation system.
