Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 October 2025
72. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his views on the fact that Lisdoonvarna, County Clare has taken in more IPAS applicants and Ukrainian war refugees than any other town; if, on this basis, he will review ongoing accommodation arrangements in this town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54030/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people in 319 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the whole country. Over 21,000 people from Ukraine are in State-supported accommodation.
These accommodation systems are demand-led and sensitive to international crises, conflicts and migration trends.
From 2022 to the end of 2024, there was a sudden and sustained increase in numbers of people applying for international protection in Ireland. This increase happened at the same time as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the EU Temporary Protection Directive, which saw over 114,000 people from Ukraine come to Ireland.
A welcome to and support for people fleeing the war in Ukraine was shown by the people of Lisdoonvarna and other areas in Co. Clare, and nationwide, since 2022. While many tens of thousands of people were provided with accommodation across hundreds of towns and areas in Ireland, it is the case that compared to the local population, some counties like Clare welcomed significant numbers.
As of August 2025, there were 662 people accommodated in Lisdoonvarna who are under temporary protection or applying for international protection accommodated in the area by the State, compared with 1182 at the end of 2022.
Since 2024, need for accommodation for people from Ukraine has reduced across the country and applications for international protection have reduced, though accommodation is still needed and in limited supply.
There are currently five accommodation centres in the Lisdoonvarna area providing accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, or for international protection applicants.
As we respond to changing trends, and work toward a more stable and sustainable accommodation system in this sector, accommodation is being developed and delivered through a range of channels, with a focus on developing more State-owned accommodation.
This is part of wider reform of the international protection application processing system itself. Reforming and speeding up processing of applications should also serve over time to reduce the scale of the demand for IP accommodation.
This is progressing, but the use and commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will be needed in the short to medium term. This accommodation is contracted on shorter-term bases to allow responsiveness if demand reduces.
The degree of control given to the State by the creation of core supply of State-owned accommodation, of both emergency and permanent options, will increase as supply is delivered, re-establishing strategic direction over the accommodation type, location and dispersal pattern.
