The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people seeking international protection in 311 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country.
A contract has been in place with a provider at the location referred to since 2023 for the provision of international protection accommodation. The centre was originally contracted to provide accommodation for up to 92 single female residents across 17 rooms, and met the standards required in terms of space, fire safety and insurance documentation.
The use of bunk beds can be a feature of some IPAS Accommodation Centres, particularly since 2022 when shortages of available accommodation came acute and due to urgent need for accommodation, use of bunkbeds is considered necessary and proportionate. However, I understand that steps have been taken to minimise the use of bunkbeds where possible.
Each premises is considered on a case-by-case basis to decide if the contract will be renewed as the end date.
Consideration has been given to this particular property and the Department has notified the accommodation provider that it will not be renewing this contract which will expire on 30 April 2026.
IPAS will work with the current residents accommodated in this property to re-locate them to alternative accommodation in the IPAS portfolio in advance of the 30April.
Significant work has been done in the last year to address existing compliance matters at IPAS centres nationwide, and to update and improve processes across the entire system. This work is proving effective, and will be ongoing into 2026 and beyond.
The direction of travel for the IPAS system is to achieve improved value for money, to increase State-owned provision by moving away from reliance on commercial providers, and to continue to improve governance and compliance.
