Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
428. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a list of all International Protection Accommodation Service centres operating in the State which have an on-site medical room, clinic, or healthcare facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40825/26]
View answer429. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to specify, for each International Protection Accommodation Service centre with on-site healthcare provision, the type of healthcare services provided; if the service includes GP, nursing, healthcare assistant, mental health, or emergency response provision; the days and hours of operation; if healthcare staff are physically present on-site 24 hours per day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40826/26]
View answer430. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to specify, for each International Protection Accommodation Service centre operating, the total resident capacity; the current occupancy level; the number of healthcare staff assigned to the centre; and the ratio of healthcare staff to residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40827/26]
View answer431. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to specify, for each International Protection Accommodation Service centre, how many healthcare staff are directly employed by the HSE; the number that are agency staff; the number that are employed through NGOs, charities, or private contractors; the names of any contracted healthcare providers operating within IPAS centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40828/26]
View answer432. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the annual cost to the State of healthcare provision within International Protection Accommodation Service centres for the years 2023, 2024, and to date in 2026, including GP services, nursing services, agency staffing costs, mental health supports, interpretation services, and emergency response arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40829/26]
View answer433. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if any International Protection Accommodation Service centres operate without access to regular on-site healthcare provision; if so, the alternative arrangements in place for residents requiring medical assessment or treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40830/26]
View answer434. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if healthcare staffing standards, minimum staffing ratios, or clinical governance requirements apply to International Protection Accommodation Service accommodation centres; to provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40831/26]
View answer435. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department or the HSE has conducted a review regarding healthcare staffing adequacy within International Protection Accommodation Service centres, continuity of care, reliance on agency staffing, or emergency medical response capability within large accommodation centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40832/26]
View answer436. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total amount spent on agency healthcare staffing within International Protection Accommodation Service accommodation centres in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40833/26]
View answer437. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department intends to publish a national overview of healthcare provision, staffing levels, and associated costs within International Protection Accommodation Service accommodation centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40834/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 428 to 437, inclusive, together.
The provision of supports and services to people seeking international protection is a whole of Government response. Under the requirements of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations, people are entitled to basic supports including accommodation, which is provided by my Department through IPAS accommodation, and other supports including healthcare and education.
People seeking international protection access health services through mainstream HSE services, including primary care and GP services, referral to specialist services, and urgent or emergency healthcare services.
As such, much of the material requested in your questions is not under the remit of my Department, and would be available from the Department of Health and the HSE. This includes details of healthcare costs, staffing and clinical governance matters. Details of all IPAS accommodation centres which may have access to in-reach healthcare services is not routinely collated by my Department.
In terms of reception conditions and accommodation, people who apply for international protection are entitled to a vulnerability assessment. This assessment is provided through IPAS on application and allows IPAS to identify any particular needs the applicant and their family may have, including health conditions or disabilities.
Any person applying for international protection residing in IPAS accommodation is entitled to apply for a medical card and IPAS Resident Welfare Services, along with NGO advocates, can support people to access health and social care services as needed.
The IPAS Resident Welfare Team directs applicants with special reception needs within our accommodation to relevant services or provide information as required.
Where appropriate, the Resident Welfare Team engages with centre managers and advocates to ensure that an applicant’s reception needs can be addressed within their current accommodation centre, providing information and support and signposting persons to relevant services. IPAS Social Workers seconded to the Resident Welfare Team are available to help applicants with high levels of vulnerability, and can make onward referrals to services and advocate for vulnerable persons as appropriate.
If a medical emergency arises within an IPAS accommodation centre, centre managers are required to contact emergency services. IPAS has protocols and procedures in place for centre managers to submit incident reports and to report emergencies that occur within the accommodation setting to IPAS.
