The State has a legal obligation to provide reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to people seeking international protection.
The accommodation centre at Dundrum House, Co Tipperary, has been providing accommodation under contract to the Department since 2022, for people fleeing the war in Ukraine and people applying for international protection.
A new contract commenced in April 2025 at this property to provide accommodation to people in families seeking international protection in Ireland.
All providers of accommodation must complete a proposal template to the Department as part of the appraisal process. The information required includes details of the accommodation and services offered, details of regulatory matters like planning and building regulations, valid fire certification, insurance, and staffing details.
Once all requisite documentation has been received and validated, a contract may be offered and a start date agreed.
Confirmation of the required planning exemption from the local authority was provided to the Department of Justice as part of agreeing this new contract. Valid insurance details were also reviewed as part of this process.
Tipperary County Council acknowledged within court proceedings over recent months that the granting of a planning exemption to the property in January 2025 had an administrative flaw in the process. The exemption was provided to this Department as part of its appraisal for an accommodation contract. On 17 November 2025 the Court made final orders in this matter.
The accommodation provider at Dundrum House has made a new application to the local authority for confirmation of the planning exemption and this is currently with An Coimisiún Pleanála for review.
The Department is now actively reviewing the implication of these matters in the context of the existing contract, and the people and families who are accommodated at Dundrum House at this time.
