Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 June 2024
158. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the State has purchased a building (details supplied); if so, from whom; how much this building cost; what it will be used for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27460/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February 2021 A White Paper to End Direct Provision and establish a new International Protection Service was published. The paper set out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection (IP) in Ireland and contains three core themes – accommodation, integration and supports. There is a legal obligation on the state to meet the requirements under the EU Recast Reception Conditions Directive to provide accommodation to all who request it.
In 2022 and 2023 Ireland experienced unprecedented numbers of new IP arrivals with over 26,900. To put this in context the total number of applications received in 2022 and 2023 (26,900) is greater than the total received over the preceding eight year period, 2013-2021 (23,369). These very significant arrival numbers have continued in 2024, with 9861 new people seeking accommodation from the state up to the 25th June 2024.
Due the significant increase in arrivals in 2022 and 2023 there was a recognition that the underlying assumptions on which the White Paper was based required re-assessment, as the assumptions underpinning it were based on 3500 new arrivals each year. A review of the timelines and deliverables was initiated.
The review has resulted in the development of a new Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for IP applicants, which Government approved on the 27th March 2024. The strategy seeks to address the current accommodation shortfall, while reforming the system over the longer term to ensure the State will always be able to meet its international commitments. The review highlighted the need to significantly increase the ambition in relation to the overall capacity of the system through a number of new delivery streams.
The reforms will see a move away from full reliance on private providers and towards a core of State-owned accommodation, delivering 14,000 State-owned beds by 2028 – quadruple the previous commitment under the White Paper. This will be supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers.
Accommodation in the new strategy will be delivered through the following multi-strand approach:
1. Use of State land for prefabricated and modular units
2. Conversion of commercial buildings
3. Targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties
4. Design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres
5. Upgrading of IPAS Centres
The multi-strand approach focuses on both increasing State owned permanent capacity, and the upgrading of additional contingency accommodation, developed to specific national standards, to build an effective system to meet the new realities of increasing need while enabling the State to discharge its duty to meet the material reception conditions of IP Applicants, according to the guiding principles of the White Paper.
Accommodation offering breakdown by 2028:
|
Accommodation Type |
Bed Capacity |
Ownership |
|
Accommodation Type |
Bed Capacity |
Ownership |
|
Reception and Integration Centres and Accommodation Centres, at or above national standards |
Up to 13,000 |
State Owned |
|
In-Community Accommodation for vulnerable persons, at or above national standards |
Up to 1,000 |
State Owned, operated in partnership with NGOs. |
|
Contingency Accommodation, at national standards |
Up to 11,000 |
Commercial Providers |
|
Emergency Accommodation |
Up to 10,000 |
Commercial Providers |
Progress to date in delivery of the strategy has included working with the Approved Housing Body sector to operationalise some in community accommodation. This includes the Augusta Lodge property in Westport. This property, will form part of the strategy to deliver a range of accommodation for vulnerable International Protection applicants.
Due to commercially sensitivities it would not be possible to provide the cost of Augusta Lodge or who the property was purchased from.
