Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 May 2026
289. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his Department's clear and time-bound exit strategy for the reduction in the use of former visitor accommodation providers for the provision of temporary International Protection Accommodation Services, and specifically the exit strategy in respect of the continued use of a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38504/26]
View answer290. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will provide details of his Department's justification for the renewal of the contract for IPAS accommodation at a facility (details supplied); the current and projected demand for IPAS accommodation in the Drogheda and wider region; the performance of the accommodation provider under the existing contract; the provider's compliance with all relevant standards, regulations, and legal obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38505/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 289 and 290 together.
It is a legal obligation of the State to provide accommodation, if requested, and other basic supports to people seeking international protection.
The Department has entered into a renewed contract with the commercial providers at D Hotel, Drogheda, for a period of one year as part of the State’s ongoing need to provide accommodation to people seeking protection. The capacity at the centre will remain the same at 500 people. All existing arrangements on site, staffing and services, will remain unchanged. The contract was confirmed on 30 March 2026.
This centre continues to function as a dispersal centre for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), with families in residence for a short period of time before transfer to an alternative centre.
Details of payments made to specific providers for specific locations are also not publicly supplied by my department as such details are commercially sensitive. However, the Deputy may wish to note that payments over €20,000 to suppliers of the department generally, including accommodation providers, are periodically published at quarterly intervals.
The Department continues to engage with all State support services in the area so that they can continue to provide supports needed to assist people, including Louth County Council, the HSE, Department of Education, transport services, and other State agencies.
The provision of accommodation for people seeking international protection is demand-led and each premises is considered on a case-by-case basis to decide if it will be renewed. At potential renewal stage, consideration will be given to the current and projected demand for accommodation, the provider's performance under contract, and compliance with standards and legal obligations.
Where a contract or a property is providing services within its obligations and can be seen as delivering value for State funds, it is important to maintain our ability to meet need across the system. While numbers of people applying for international protection have reduced, there have been approximately 1000 applications per month since early 2026, and accommodation remains an essential need.
My Department is working to increase the amount of State-owned international protection accommodation and creating a more stable and sustainable accommodation system.
As developing these more sustainable State-owned accommodation system options under this strategy will take time, the commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be a feature in the short to medium term.
