Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
1093. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of properties his Department has purchased for the purposes of accommodating refugees or asylum seekers since he took office; how many of those properties are currently occupied; and how many are vacant. [11693/24]
View answerIn February 2021 A White Paper to End Direct Provision and establish a new International Protection Service was published. The paper set out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland and contains three core themes – accommodation, integration and supports. There is a legal obligation on the state to meet the requirements under the EU Recast Reception Conditions Directive to provide accommodation to all who request it.
In 2022 and 2023 Ireland experienced unprecedented numbers of new IP arrivals with over 26,900. To put this in context the total number of applications received in 2022 and 2023 (26,900) is greater than the total received over the preceding eight year period, 2013-2021 (23,369). These very significant arrival numbers have continued in the first months of 2024, with the highest number of applicants, nearly 1800, received in a month occurring in January.
In this context, there is a recognition that the underlying assumptions on which the White Paper was based needs to be re-examined, as the assumptions underpinning it are based on 3500 new arrivals each year. A review of the timelines and deliverables was initiated. A memo will be going to government for approval setting out a revised implementation approach with an increased focus on adding State owned accommodation capacity. The Department will examine opportunities to purchase accommodation for use by International Protection.
As part of the White Paper commitments the development of a community accommodation model for International Protection applicants was initiated with the purchase of 37 properties.
An Expression of Interest competition was undertaken to commission Approved Housing Bodies to operationalise the properties purchased as supported accommodation for vulnerable applicants. The Approved Housing Bodies commissioned through this process are currently working with this Department to operationalise these properties on a phased, with a number expected to be available to IPAS to house International Protection applicants over the coming weeks.
In respect of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis, the government has developed a rapid build housing programme to provide accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine. The programme aims to provide short-term accommodation up to 2,800 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection at several sites across Ireland.
Work has been completed on the first seven sites at Mahon in Cork, Farnham Road in Cavan, Doorly Park in Sligo, Thurles in Tipperary, Claremorris in Mayo, Clonminch in Offaly and Rathdowney in Laois. These sites comprise of 310 rapid build homes and are accommodating approximately 1240 individuals. The final stage of the programme will be delivered in 2024.
