Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
502. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will detail with regard to the IPAS contract signed for a hotel (details supplied), if the contract was signed on a payment per head of occupancy or if the contract was agreed for the full 500 beds as 5 March despite full occupancy never being reached due to an insufficient fire certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21175/24]
View answerThe D Hotel has been offered to the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) and contracted to provide accommodation to International Protection (IP) applicants under the emergency appraisal process, with a capacity of 500 beds. It is functioning as a dispersal centre for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) with families in residence for a short period of time before transfer to an alternative centre
The Local Authority holds the remit for assessing compliance with Fire Safety and for enforcing the regulations around same. Following the signing of the contract and occupation of the property, the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) visited the site and instructed the provider that alterations to the existing fire protection measures should be undertaken, and reduced the capacity on the existing Fire Certificate to 250.
The provider has carried out the instructions of the CFO and continues to await his written verification of compliance, following verbal confirmation at the time of inspection.
Providers of accommodation are entitled to invoice the Department for the agreed capacity rate as per the contract they have agreed.
