Written Answers Nos. 103-120
103. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide details of all individuals, community groups, elected representatives, NGOs, or other stakeholders met by his Department’s community engagement team in relation to the use of locations (details supplied) for international protection accommodation since January 2021; and the dates and locations of such meetings. [50551/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra104. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide monthly data on the occupancy of a location (details supplied) since December 2021, showing maximum and average occupancy figures, categories of residents accommodated for example international protection applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine; the details of services provided onsite; the number of staff employed by the service providers at the facility; and the total State payments made for this accommodation in 2021 to 2024 and to date in 2025. [50552/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of responses received to the expression of interest issued in or around May 2024 regarding the acquisition, lease, or use of properties for International protection accommodation; if locations (details supplied) were referenced in any such responses; and to provide a list of general geographic areas of properties proposed. [50553/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to publish or place in the Oireachtas Library the current contracts or service-level agreements governing the use of locations (details supplied) for International protection accommodation; the clauses which exist within these agreements to ensure compliance with statutory requirements including planning permission, fire safety certification, and building control laws; and to confirm whether such compliance documentation has been received and inspected by his Department. [50554/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra107. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the timelines, assessments, or consultations relating to the decision to make the use of locations (details supplied) for International protection accommodation permanent, and the intended use of associated land included in the purchase; and if the Government will commit that no additional buildings will be developed on this land, or no modular homes will be installed for accommodation purposes in the future. [50555/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra108. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether any value for money assessments or independent evaluations have been conducted in relation to the State’s purchase of a location (details supplied); and if he will publish the results. [50556/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department has carried out an assessment of the impact of the use on local services including schools, healthcare, and transport of a facility (details supplied); and if he will provide copies of the assessments. [50557/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra110. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the inspections which have been carried out by independent bodies such as fire services, local authorities, or HIQA in relation to the use of a facilities (details supplied) as accommodation; and to publish the findings. [50558/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide details of Garda vetting and training requirements for staff working at facilities (details supplied); and if audits have been carried out to ensure compliance. [50559/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra112. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the legal basis on which the use of locations (details supplied) proceeded without planning permission or exemption being sought; and if his Department accepts that this sets a precedent for future developments [50560/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 103 to 112, inclusive, together.
The State purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for international protection accommodation is now completed.
The purchase of the site is a key part of the Government’s strategy to develop a stable and sustainable accommodation system for people seeking international protection. State-owned centres are part of the Government’s long-term plan to reduce the reliance on private accommodation providers resulting in better value for money of public funds and a more efficient international protection system.
The full purchase price for the Citywest centre (including VAT) was €148,253,530 which is in line with the Government decision of 17 June 2025. Compared to the costs of the previous leasing model, the savings to the State will pay back the purchase price within 4 years. The State is estimated to save €1 billion over 25 years, compared to the current model for leasing the site, while also delivering a permanent State asset.
The Department carried out a number of surveys including technical, mechanical and fire safety for the site as part of a detailed due diligence process followed to secure this purchase
A 12-month transitional service agreement has been put in place with the current provider to oversee the management and provision of accommodation services for both the main hotel and the convention centre. The existing workforce has been maintained under the transitional agreement. Over the coming 12 months a process to tender for a provider to run the Citywest complex will be completed.
The Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre has successfully supported accommodation and decision-processing by the State for a number of years, and currently provides capacity for 2,300 people, with both international protection applicants and people from Ukraine resident in the Hotel and Convention Centre.
The Department does not routinely publish occupancy figures for accommodation centres, for privacy and security reasons, and also because occupancy levels vary from day to day for operational reasons.
In terms of planning permission, this is an existing accommodation centre for people seeking international protection and for people fleeing the war in Ukraine who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection which is deemed an exempted development under the Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations (S.I. 605 of 2022).
The Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations (S.I. 605 of 2022) were introduced to assist the State in meeting Ireland’s legal obligation to provide accommodation to international protection applicants.
As a hotel and convention centre, the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre’s change of use is permitted as exempt development under the provisions of Class 20F of the Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations (S.I. 605 of 2022).
The Regulations 2023 (S.I. 376 of 2023) extended the planning exemption provided by S.I. 605 of 2022, from 31 December 2024 to 31 December 2028.
In terms of other potential purchases, an Expression of Interest (EOI) process was launched in 2024 for the sourcing of suitable properties for acquisition or lease. 134 submissions have been received. These options are being assessed.
IPAS centres are subject to rigorous inspection and oversight. Centres are contractually obligated to be maintained to National Standards, with independent inspection and quality control through either the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) or IPAS-commissioned inspections.
IPAS accommodation centres are staffed by accommodation providers who employ managers and staff working in centres. Centre management is responsible for ensuring that appropriate vetting is in place for various centres and staff, and for providing assurance to IPAS and the Department that this is in place.
Contracts for international protection accommodation are treated as confidential and commercially sensitive, but details of all payments to accommodation providers are published regularly on gov.ie at [IPAS Statistics/Facts and Figures].
The Community Engagement Team was established at the end of 2023. In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, since the purchase of the site was confirmed, the Community Engagement Team has been engaging broadly with local stakeholders, including members of the Community Integration Forum in South Dublin County Council.
The Department is committed to ensuring that the local community has access to accurate information and that structures to plan for provision of essential and support services, such as healthcare and education, are in place to assist with the integration process.
Since 19 June 2025, the Community Engagement Team has held 8 engagement meetings with stakeholders and provided 7 information notes to local elected representatives.
A dedicated webpage to support the community to keep them informed of developments has been published at www.gov.ie/citywest and is updated regularly.
113. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will review the 2014 policy and practice document on safeguarding IPAS residents against domestic, sexual and gender based violence and harassment considering the National Standards on Reception 2019 and the current best practice evidence for example, work of the EU Agency for Asylum on sexual and gender based violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50561/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is committed to maintaining safeguards to help protect residents from domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and harassment.
IPAS teams, centre management and centre staff do not tolerate victimisation or harassment of residents or staff in IPAS centres and the safety and wellbeing of all residents is the paramount concern.
The IPAS policy and practice document on safeguarding IPAS residents against Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence and harassment is available here: assets.gov.ie/static/documents/ipas-policy-document-on-sexual-gender-based-violence-with-agreed-report.pdf.
The policy complements other existing protection policies, such as the Child Protection Policy, Garda Vetting Policy, and Complaints Policy.
This policy was developed with multi-agency partners and as with all policies in IPAS will be subject to review as necessary to ensure operational effectiveness.
114. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding an application dated 11 August 2025 for relocation due to medical needs (details supplied) [50565/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot comment publicly on individual cases, I can advise the Deputy that officials in my Department are aware of this case and the person's identified needs.
Individuals and families request transfers for a variety of reasons and IPAS facilitates those requests as appropriate and where possible. These transfers can be more difficult in complex cases, and also in the context of limited available accommodation options.
More generally, I can assure the Deputy that IPAS has a number of protocols and procedures in place for considering applications for transfer in cases of medical priority, where people are undergoing specialist treatment or may need to live within a reasonable travelling distance to a hospital.
Such transfers are dependent on accommodation availability, particularly in instances where a resident has specific personal, health and accessibility needs.
IPAS will remain in contact with the resident for whom the Deputy supplied details.
115. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of vehicles seized by Gardai in each district within Dublin region for having no insurance in each of the first eight months of 2025, in tabular form. [50633/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda Authorities that the table below provides a monthly breakdown per Garda division of the number of vehicles seized by Gardaí in the Dublin region for having no insurance in the first eight months of 2025.
These figures are based on incidents occurring from 1 January 2025 to 31 August 2025, inclusive. All information contained in this report is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 22 September 2025 and is liable to change.
Vehicles seized or detained relate to those detained under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act.
I am informed that the figures supplied are complemented by the ability Gardaí to interrogate the Irish Motorist Insurance Database along with the National Fleet Database on their mobility devices to establish up to date insurance details for all vehicle types. The use of both databases and the up to date information supplied on a nightly basis, provides a high level of confidence to operational Gardaí when faced with a decision to seize a vehicle.
116. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 2001 of 29 July 2025, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities in order to answer this Parliamentary Question. [50635/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraParliamentary Question No 2001 of 29 July 2025 sought "the number of each category of firearm training courses that took place in garda headquarters for armed Garda personnel in 2024 and to-date in 2025; and the duration of each course, in tabular form."
This information was not available at the time, however I have now been advised of the below by the Garda authorities.
The Firearms Training Unit is attached to Garda Headquarters, with training delivered throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR). Garda management have clarified that firearms training does not physically take place in Garda Headquarters.
The following figures pertain to training conducted by the Firearms Training Unit within the DMR, from 2024 to end of July 2025.
117. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration If Garda Air support unit has received the new aircraft and helicopters; and if so, when these aircraft will be ready for operational duties. [50636/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) is a national resource based at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin.
There are currently two helicopters attached to the Garda aircraft fleet, a Eurocopter EC135 T2 and a EC135 T2+ which were delivered in 2001 and 2007 respectively.
An application was made to replace both aircraft, and sanction for a fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters has been secured.
Over €50m is being invested in providing new state of the art aircraft to the GASU, with the first new helicopter and plane due to be delivered later this year, and a further new helicopter in late 2026.
The GASU is under the direction and control of Assistant Commissioner, Organised and Serious Crime, and the operational control of Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services. It provides a 24-hour proactive and reactive service in support of operational Gardaí on the ground and specialist units.
118. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether his Department has plans for an IPAS centre in a facility (details supplied). [50699/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra119. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the criteria and processes being used to assess the suitability of a property (details supplied) as an IPAS centre. [50700/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra120. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department is in negotiations to use a facility (details supplied) as accommodation for asylum seekers. [50701/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department is seeking to change the use of a facility (details supplied) from accommodation for refugees to asylum seekers. [50702/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 118 to 121, inclusive, together.
The Department has not received an offer of accommodation at this location and is not currently examining this property for use as international protection accommodation.
Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to people seeking international protection is part of Irish and EU law.
The Department receives regular offers of accommodation from external commercial providers and does not predetermine their geographical location. All offers of IP accommodation are reviewed by the Department under a standard appraisal procedure.
Factors in the appraisal of IPAS accommodation include the site and its potential, the value for money it offers, planning matters and any works required to meet the required standards.
Consideration is also given to the location in relation to access to services, resident welfare, health and wellbeing, and the current level of need in the sector.
The Department does not have a role in planning regulation; Local Authorities are responsible for processing and reviewing applications for planning permission including change of use.
The Department's Community Engagement Team (CET) engages directly with elected representatives, local authorities, community members and service providers, in advance of any new centre opening.
