Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 September 2026
101. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to commission an independent review of the relocation process for residents (details supplied), to include consideration of medical evidence, disability and accessibility needs, continuity of education, provision of individual reasons and the availability of an effective appeal procedure; and if the findings will be published. [67270/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra102. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number and type of supported and accessible accommodation placements currently available for older persons, disabled persons and persons undergoing serious medical treatment who are being relocated from a location (details supplied), in tabular form; and the arrangements in place to provide suitable accommodation within reasonable travelling distance of treating hospitals and established support networks. [67269/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra103. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the procedures in place to ensure that his Department, the Ukraine Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team and accommodation providers are immediately notified and comply with court orders or decisions affecting the transfer or discharge of residents from State accommodation; and the steps being taken to prevent relocation or discharge notices from being issued contrary to an existing or future court order or decision. [67268/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra104. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the instructions that have been issued to management and staff of a location (details supplied) regarding communication with residents identified for relocation during the relocation process; if staff are permitted to inform residents that they will lose all accommodation or state supports in the event that they do not relocate by a specified date; and the independent complaints mechanism that is available to residents where they report pressure, intimidation or receipt of misleading information from staff. [67267/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra110. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the type and extent of accessibility assessments that are carried out prior to relocating a blind or visually impaired person, a person with reduced mobility, or person requiring hospital treatment from a location to other accommodation; if the proposed route for the person to sanitary, dining and transport facilities is assessed; and if an independent accessibility assessment has been completed at a site (details supplied). [67266/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra111. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of school-age children relocated from a location (details supplied) who did not have a confirmed school place or school transport arrangement at the date of the relocation; the way in which continuity of education and the best interests of the child are assessed before relocation; and the steps being taken to ensure that children do not lose access to their existing schools, special educational supports or medical appointments. [67265/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra112. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the way in which continuity of hospital and specialist treatment is protected when relocating residents from a location (details supplied) particularly persons receiving dialysis, cancer treatment, pre-operative or post-operative care; if transport medication storage, dietary requirement and proximity to the treating hospital are assessed; and the arrangements that have been agreed with the HSE. [67263/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra113. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a formal review or appeal procedure is available to Ukrainian persons who consider that proposed alternative accommodation is unsuitable for their medical, disability or family needs; the procedure, applicable deadline, decision-maker and expected response time; whether relocation is suspended pending the outcome; and where the procedure has been published. [67257/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra115. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the legal and policy basis upon which a resident who does not accept a particular accommodation offer may be treated as having refused State accommodation or may be discharged from the accommodation system; the safeguards that apply where the resident has serious medical, disability or family needs; and whether non-transfer will be suspended while an urgent review is pending. [67253/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra116. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the individual assessment procedure used when deciding if proposed alternative accommodation is suitable for a resident of a location (details supplied); whether medical, disability, accessibility, family and educational needs are assessed; the person or body that conducts these assessments; whether appropriately qualified healthcare professionals are involved; whether each resident is provided with a copy of the assessment and individual reasons for the decision; and if he will supply the full details of the formal assessment procedure. [67251/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra117. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his plans to pause the transfer or discharge from State-provided accommodation of medically vulnerable residents of a location (details supplied) including persons undergoing cancer treatment, dialysis, surgery or hospital treatment, persons with disabilities, older persons and families with children until an individual needs and suitability assessment has been completed in each case. [67248/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 102, 103, 104, 110, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116 and 117 together.
The significant contribution made by communities across Ireland in supporting people fleeing the war in Ukraine since 2022 is recognised by the Government and Ireland remains committed to supporting those who have sought refuge here under the Temporary Protection Directive.
The ending of the provision of commercial accommodation at the Citywest Hotel follows a Government decision of 26 May 2026. As previously communicated to all residents, on 30 June 2026, no further accommodation for those granted Temporary Protection will be provided at the Citywest Hotel from 18 September 2026. Onward locations for re-accommodation, also communicated to residents, comprise Kill International Equestrian Centre, Inchmore and Punchestown Accommodation Centres.
Recognising that this is a significant change for residents, my Department, the Irish Red Cross and the International Organisation for Migration commenced dedicated engagement with those affected, providing information and practical support regarding available options. These included supports to facilitate independent living where appropriate.
At the same time, a self-declaration application process, which opened on 30 June 2026 and closed on 17 July 2026, was made available to residents who believed they continued to require temporary accommodation following the closure of the Citywest facility. An offer of accommodation has now issued to all residents whose applications were approved, taking into account, where relevant, any identified vulnerabilities or accommodation requirements. The final transfer of residents took place on 18 September.
It should be noted that the Government Decision means that over the coming months, the state’s contracted accommodation portfolio will be significantly reduced. The range of alternative accommodation available is therefore necessarily constrained. The Department nevertheless seeks, insofar as practicable and having regard to available accommodation, to match placements to identified needs and vulnerabilities. HSE colleagues and my Department are in regular contact in relation to residents with identified health and care needs to ensure that the most appropriate available options are considered having due regard to individual circumstances.
While every effort has been made to continue to accommodate those with established HSE care plans to remain in the relevant Community Health Organisation (CHO) area for continuity of care, there is no guarantee continued accommodation will be in the same area in which a person currently lives. My Department seeks however, insofar as practicable, to match accommodation to identified needs and remains committed to ensuring that vulnerable persons continue to receive appropriate supports throughout this transition. Further information on ongoing supports is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/collections/ongoing-supports-en/
Where special educational needs arise, my Department endeavours to retain children with such needs in the same area where possible. However, where documented medical needs present along with special educational needs, medical requirements are considered to be the priority in the accommodation allocation process. Where medical requirements may necessitate relocation to another accommodation centre, even if it is not in proximity to the current location, relevant HSE Social Inclusion teams are kept informed to ensure transfer of care packages and equipment as required.
As a matter of course, officials in the Department of Education are also informed of proposed accommodation changes. Matters in relation to confirmed school placements and associated transport are for that Department to consider. Relevant information is provided by the Department of Education on the Government of Ireland website at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/information-for-schools-ukraine/ if they need help finding a school place. Schools are required to admit all applicants unless the school is full or in very limited, defined circumstances. Families are encouraged to enrol their children as soon as they know the location of their new accommodation.
My Department currently has no plans to commission an independent review of the relocations process for those granted Temporary Protection. An appeals process exists for people who were unsuccessful in their applications for continued accommodation. The details of this process are communicated in all refusal letters that issue. It must be noted that the appeals process is only applicable to the decision to grant or refuse continued accommodation, and not the centre to where a person is to transfer. Where issues with accommodation centres arise, these can be communicated to my department’s online Helpdesk for consideration.
My Department, where notified of Court Orders, complies at all times with the relevant conditions contained therein.
My Department has no plans to pause the implementation of the Government Decision in respect of the Citywest facility. In implementing the relocation process, identified vulnerabilities and documented accommodation requirements are taken into account, insofar as practicable, in determining the most appropriate available onward accommodation. My Department continues to engage with the HSE and other relevant bodies in relation to residents with identified health, care and other support needs.
Current policies under the overall accommodation policy, such as the refusals policy, remain in place. Further information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/ukraine-crisis-temporary-accommodation-team-policies/
