I propose to take Questions Nos. 369, 370 and 371 together.
The Citywest facility is a key component in the State's implementation of the EU Migration Pact this year, acting as a screening centre and border procedure location as required under the Pact.
The purchase of this site came with a strong commitment to engagement with the local community, and this engagement has been extensive and ongoing with the local community and elected representatives since 2025.
Application numbers for international protections vary over time, and have reduced in Ireland since 2024 by about one third. The introduction of the EU Migration Pact and the International Protection Bill 2026 allow for significantly accelerated processing, impose statutory timeframes for decisions, both at first-instance and appeal, and will reduce the number of secondary movement through the EU through the new Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR).
This allows member states to return a person to the country in which they should have applied for asylum, had already begun an application or had been given status elsewhere. Ireland has already begun to issue requests to other MS in this regard.
Faster processing will mean that applicants spend less time in IPAS accommodation, and this will significantly reduce the cost of the asylum system to the State. Faster decision-making will also mean that successful applicants will be granted international protection sooner, and those whose applications are refused can return to the appropriate country sooner.
Over the last 18 months, up to the introduction of the Pact, there was an average of 52 asylum applicants per working day. This has fallen to 26 per working day Pact operations commenced on June 12.
The IPAS House Rules clearly state that residents must not consume or store alcohol or illegal drugs in accommodation centres. It also states that persons under the influence of alcohol, non-prescription drugs or substances which affects their behaviour will not be permitted onsite.
Residents are briefed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) about life in Ireland including acceptable behaviour when away from the centre. These sessions include workshops for residents at Citywest Reception Centre on such topics as cultural awareness, mental health care and social engagement.
The Department engages with the centre management and relevant agencies to strengthen the cultural orientation programme for centre residents. Centre residents are informed about the bye-laws in place in South Dublin County Council (SDCC) that prohibit alcohol consumption in certain places, including the provision to impose fines.
Centre residents are informed regularly about the powers of An Garda Síochána in relation to anti-social behaviour including confiscating alcohol from anyone drinking in a public place, particularly if it could cause worry for public safety.
As you may be aware, the SDCC Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) has been established. The LCSP brings together a broad range of relevant stakeholders including local councillors, An Garda Síochána, local residents, community representatives, business and education representatives, and a range of statutory agencies including the HSE, Tusla and each local authority. The Partnerships will take a strategic approach to their work so that issues arising can be dealt with in a coordinated manner and addressed collectively by relevant service providers in partnership with the community.
The Department is in contact with An Garda Síochána and the Local Authority and will continue to give our full support to these agencies as requested.
