Written Answers Nos. 430-449
430. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will obtain a report from a service (details supplied) regarding their capacity to find placements for children completing their school years; and if any steps can be taken to ensure suitable placements and transport to the placement, where necessary. [20326/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
431. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason survivors and former residents from a mother and baby county home institution, who also spent time at St. Joseph's Hospital, Coole, County Westmeath prior to being adopted, are excluded from the payment scheme (details supplied). [20340/24]
View answerWhilst I cannot comment on individual cases, I will try to be helpful in general terms. The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme provides financial payments and health supports to eligible people who spent time in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution
It is recognised that there are people who suffered stigma, trauma and abuse in other institutions, and outside of institutions also. However, the institutions covered by the Scheme are those identified by the Commission of Investigation as having a main function of providing sheltered and supervised ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children.
Hospitals were not investigated by the Commission of Investigation because they were not institutions that provided ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children. For this reason hospitals, such as St. Joseph's Orthopaedic Hospital, Coole, are not included in this Payment Scheme.
In Chapter 2 of the Social History section of the Commission of Investigation report the Commission considered the different types of institutions that existed and whether or not they could be classified as Mother and Baby Homes - www.gov.ie/en/publication/89e43-chapter-2-institutions/. It is noted in this chapter that children did sometimes spend extended periods of time in hospitals.
St. Joseph's Orthopaedic Hospital, Coole, was included in the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme.
432. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether his attention has been drawn to an issue in special schools where only students who reside in the CDNT area of the school itself are able to access therapies within the school; whether this residency requirement is departmental or HSE policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20342/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
433. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20350/24]
View answerMy Department requires additional time to gather the information requested and will respond directly to the Deputy in the coming days once the information has been collated.
434. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, following his discussion in Dáil Éireann (details supplied) on 6 December 2023, he has considered offering an apology on behalf of the State to a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20377/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. At the outset, I wish to again acknowledge the profound personal impacts felt by your constituent and by his family as a result of incorrect and wrong allegations made in this case. It is important and appropriate that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, as the State body with statutory responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services, has issued an apology to your constituent and that Tusla has engaged directly to advance reparatory measures.
It is also important to note that decisions by public organisations or Government Departments can be brought to the attention of the Office of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman provides an independent, fair, and free to use service. The Ombudsman will ask for details relating to the issue and a copy of the organisation or Department's final response to a complaint. The Ombudsman can be contacted by clicking on the ‘Make A Complaint’ link at www.ombudsman.ie or writing to the Office of the Ombudsman, 6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D02 W773. The Ombudsman can also be contacted on 01 636 5600 to advise on queries or provide assistance.
435. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead E4 of the Revised Estimate for 2023 and 2024 respectively, in tabular form. [20391/24]
View answerThe table below provides details of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead E4 of the Revised Estimate for 2023 and 2024. A Supplementary Estimate was also provided in 2023 which we have incorporated into the final allocation 2023 column.
|
|
Revised Estimates 2023 |
Final Allocation 2023 |
Revised Estimates 2024 |
|
|
000' |
000' |
000' |
|
E4: International Protection Accommodation Seekers |
€ 394,936 |
€ 631,389 |
€ 409,144 |
|
E4: International Protection Accommodation Services |
€ 363,436 |
€ 626,504 |
€ 360,644 |
|
E4: International Protection Support Services |
€ 31,500 |
€ 4,885 |
€ 35,500 |
|
E4: Tusla |
€ - |
€ - |
€ 13,000 |
436. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead E5 of the Revised Estimate for 2023 and 2024 respectively, in tabular form. [20392/24]
View answerThe table below provides details of the budget allocations for each programme under the subhead E5 of the Revised Estimate for 2023 and 2024. A Supplementary Estimate was also provided for in 2023 which we have been incorporated into the final allocation 2023 column.
|
|
Revised Estimates 2023 |
Final Allocation 2023 |
Revised Estimates 2024 |
|
|
000' |
000' |
000' |
|
E5: Ukraine Accommodation and Related Costs |
€ 640,800 |
€ 1,520,175 |
€ 1,490,317 |
|
E5: Ukr Commercial Accommodation Costs |
€ 478,172 |
€ 1,244,416 |
€ 1,222,881 |
|
E5: Ukr Capital |
€ 63,000 |
€ 159,694 |
€ 61,000 |
|
E5: Coordination |
€ 2,900 |
€ 3,233 |
€ 2,600 |
|
E5: Early Years |
€ 20,800 |
€ 18,014 |
€ 24,756 |
|
E5: Grant funding |
€ 1,600 |
€ 1,449 |
€ 2,000 |
|
E5: Housing Refurb |
€ 16,000 |
€ 2,200 |
€ 16,000 |
|
E5: UKR Maintenance |
€ - |
€ 477 |
€ 6,364 |
|
E5: Pledged Accommodation |
€ 25,928 |
€ 64,985 |
€ 120,000 |
|
E5: IT |
€ 1,000 |
€ 1,707 |
€ 3,218 |
|
E5: Tusla |
€ 31,400 |
€ 24,000 |
€ 31,498 |
437. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the amount of his Department’s pre-committed capital expenditure under the National Development Plan that will be dedicated to international protection accommodation in each of the years 2024 to 2026, in tabular form. [20393/24]
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, over 3300, received in January and February according to IPO published statistics. This represents a 56% increase when compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
Because of these extreme challenges in providing accommodation, there was a recognition that the underlying assumptions on which the White Paper was based required re-assessment, as the assumptions underpinning it are based on 3500 new arrivals each year. A review of the timelines and deliverables was initiated.
On the 27th March 2024 Government agreed a new Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for International Protection applicants. The strategy seeks to address the current accommodation shortfall, while reforming the system over the longer term to ensure the State will always be able to meet its international commitments.
Accommodation in the new strategy will be delivered through the following multi-strand approach:
1. Use of State land for prefabricated and modular units
2. Conversion of commercial buildings
3. Targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties
4. Design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres
5. Upgrading of IPAS Centres
The multi-strand approach focuses on both increasing State owned permanent capacity, and the upgrading of additional contingency accommodation, developed to specific national standards, to build an effective system to meet the new realities of increasing need while enabling the State to discharge its duty to meet the material reception conditions of IP Applicants, according to the guiding principles of the White Paper.
The department is in the early stages of planning its approach for the delivery of the increased state owned accommodation capacity. The table below details the allocated capital for the years 2024 to 2026 as agreed under the National Development Plan 2021 to 2030.
|
|
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
|
NDP Capital (€million) |
9.5 |
40 |
40 |
Commitments have been made by Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and reform to provide further funding on top of the confirmed allocations on a project by project basis. Once DCEDIY has a project that requires extra funding it will seek sanction from DPENDPR for it.
438. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the amount of his Department’s pre-committed capital expenditure under the National Development Plan that will be dedicated to temporary protection accommodation in each of the years 2024 to 2026, in tabular form. [20394/24]
View answerMy Department has no pre-committed capital expenditure under the National Development Plan (NDP) that will be dedicated to temporary protection accommodation in each of the years 2024 to 2026. In Budget 2024, €61m is allocated in capital funds out of a total allocation of €1.49bn for subhead E05 that covers my Department’s expenditure in the Government’s Ukraine response to meet the needs of Ukrainians with temporary protection in Ireland. This capital allocation will enable the completion of the rapid build programme in conjunction with the OPW and is not included in the NDP.
439. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the number of offers that his Department has received by private landowners and developers to build modular homes for accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection; the estimated number of planned units contained within such offers; and the average cost per unit across the offers put forward, in tabular form. [20395/24]
View answerSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy.
My Department launched an online portal for developer-led modular accommodation on gov.ie where providers could submit expressions of interest in November 2023. The portal sought offers for developments with a capacity of up to 200 BOTPs, encompassing the site, units and all management services associated with them. Modular accommodation may potentially provide a further sustainable medium-term solution to assist in meeting overall accommodation requirements, allowing BOTPs to integrate into communities and possibly setting the stage for future housing development at sites. This programme will help establish the feasibility of the approach from a cost perspective and the capacity of the private sector to deliver appropriate solutions.
My Department has currently paused accepting new Expressions of Interest for modular residential developments to accommodate Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs).
We are currently working on reviewing 129 No. modular Expressions of Interest. At this stage in the process it is not possible to quantify the number of units or the average cost per unit. Engagement with the relevant Local Authorities is also being undertaken as part of the review process.
440. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of State-owned modular homes overseen by the Office of Public Works that have been delivered; the average cost per unit in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and to provide a breakdown of the average capital costs of land and site servicing and costs of building and materials respectively, in tabular form. [20396/24]
View answer441. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of State-owned modular units that are currently in development; to specify the stage of development of each project; and the estimated average capital cost per project and per unit, in tabular form. [20397/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 441 together.
As part 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 who request it. The programme aims to provide short-term accommodation for up to 2,800 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at several sites across Ireland. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is leading the development of this accommodation in conjunction with my Department.
This project – the first of its kind – is an important one, as it will provide a blueprint for future developments. As each phase has brought new challenges, these challenges are providing important future learnings.
The programme is being progressed under the emergency derogations from planning that were provided for by Government under S.I. No. 306 of 2022 – European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations, 2022.
The emphasis in this programme is on delivery of quality homes which will enhance local environments and this has been a priority. Each site will have roads, footpaths, street lighting, community facilities, including green spaces, fully in line with Local Authority planning guidance. The homes will be highly energy efficient, durable units with a 60 year lifespan and the development of the sites will be conducted in an environmentally sustainable way to ensure that, post development, the site will enhance the local area. Construction disruption is limited as the units are manufactured off site. In the future, the units have the potential to be utilised to address other accommodation challenges, including social housing and student accommodation.
At end of 2023 the first phase of seven sites were completed, totalling 310 units accommodating 1240 residents. These sites are at;
• Mahon, County Cork (64 units)
• Claremorris (28 units)
• Doorly Park, Sligo (22 units)
• Cavan town (28 units)
• Thurles (62 units)
• Clonminch, Offaly (64 units)
• Rathdowney, Laois (42 units)
Works are currently ongoing on sites at;
• Backweston, Lucan, Dublin (132 units)
• Pollboy, Ballinasloe, Galway (64 units)
• Rathgoggin, Charleville, Cork (66 units)
The completion timelines, subject to any technical issues arising during construction are estimated at July 2024 for Backweston and August 2024 for Pollboy and Rathgoggin.
A further HSE site in Haywood, Clonmel has been identified as viable by OPW to accommodate 82 units. Discussions are ongoing with the HSE to secure the site. There are a number of issues that have arisen over the past few months relating to site conditions, remedial works, boundaries, ESB connections, etc. This has delayed earlier forecasted dates of completion and also has led the department to make a decision to not fully complete the programme.
The cost of each unit is approximately €145,000 per unit (45m² / 484sqft), inclusive of supply, delivery and provision of loose electrical and household items. This is separate to the site development and utility connection costs, etc. relating to the overall development. As the project is still ongoing and further sites are under consideration, it is not possible to fully specify a final overall programme figure.
442. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many of the six reception centres targeted under the 2021 White Paper on Ending Direct Provision have been delivered to date; how many further are in development; the estimated number of persons that may be accommodated under the reception centres delivered to date and those in development, respectively; and to provide a breakdown of the average capital cost to build or acquire these centres, and the annual current cost to operate the centres, in tabular form. [20398/24]
View answer443. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many of the 75 urban renewal units targeted under the 2021 White Paper on Ending Direct Provision have been delivered to date; how many more are in development; to provide a breakdown of those built and those purchased; the estimated number of persons that may be accommodated under the units delivered and in development respectively; and to provide a breakdown of the average capital and current cost to construct these units. [20399/24]
View answer444. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many applicants of international protection have been accommodated under the hosting in the community accommodation strand, as outlined under the 2021 White Paper on Ending Direct Provision. [20400/24]
View answer447. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the rationale of his Department’s targeted IPAS capacity of 35,000 by 2028 for arrivals of 13,000-16,000 per annum under the ‘Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for International Protection Applicants’ – specifying, in tabular form, the estimated duration of accommodation between phase 1, phase 2 and post-status approval respectively, with a breakdown of the duration estimated for standard and accelerated procedures; and to outline the level of flexibility and flow-through within these estimates. [20403/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 442, 443, 444 and 447 together.
In 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, over 3300, received in January and February according to IPO published statistics. This represents a 56% increase when compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
Because of these extreme challenges in providing accommodation, there was a recognition that the underlying assumptions on which the White Paper was based required re-assessment, as the assumptions underpinning it are based on 3500 new arrivals each year. The context of the accommodation challenge over the past 3 years as outline above formed the rationale for the review. A review of the timelines and deliverables was initiated, including the urban renewal targets, community accommodation strand and the original 6 centre target as specified previously.
On the 27th March 2024 Government agreed a new Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for International Protection applicants. The strategy seeks to address the current accommodation shortfall, while reforming the system over the longer term to ensure the State will always be able to meet its international commitments.
Accommodation in the new strategy will be delivered through the following multi-strand approach:
1. Use of State land for prefabricated and modular units
2. Conversion of commercial buildings
3. Targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties
4. Design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres
5. Upgrading of IPAS Centres
The multi-strand approach focuses on both increasing State owned permanent capacity, and the upgrading of additional contingency accommodation, developed to specific national standards, to build an effective system to meet the new realities of increasing need while enabling the State to discharge its duty to meet the material reception conditions of IP Applicants, according to the guiding principles of the White Paper.
In order to deal with the demand led nature of the system, the commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be a feature in the short to medium term. This accommodation will be contracted on shorter-term basis and if application numbers drop, can be decommissioned as contracts expire. It is planned that as new State owned and permanent commercial accommodation comes on stream the use of this emergency accommodation will reduce.
Once sufficient State owned accommodation has been delivered over the coming years, and emergency accommodation reduced substantially, the Government may, at that point, seek to reduce further the proportion of remaining permanent accommodation delivered by commercial providers and move to a fully or predominately State owned system.
In terms of new accommodation numbers the table below details the proposed various accommodation types, capacity and ownership.
|
Accommodation Type |
Bed Capacity |
Ownership |
|
Reception and Integration Centres and Accommodation Centres, at or above national standards |
Up to 13,000 |
State Owned |
|
In-Community Accommodation for vulnerable persons, at or above national standards |
Up to 1,000 |
State Owned, operated in partnership with NGOs. |
|
Contingency Accommodation, at national standards |
Up to 11,000 |
Commercial Providers |
|
Emergency Accommodation |
Up to 10,000 |
Commercial Providers |
An Expression of Interest (EOI) process was launched on the 30th April by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for the sourcing of suitable properties. The EOI seeks to identify properties for acquisition under the following criteria:
• 150+ beds;
• Bedrooms in line with National Standards;
• existing properties/buildings in turnkey condition;
• existing properties that require upgrading/refurbishment/renovation.
Additionally processes to assess the suitability of 3 state owned sites for the delivery of Reception and Integration Centres is under way and tender processes are being developed to progress this.
Not with standing the accommodation challenges, much progress on the White Paper pillars around integration and supports have been progressed. These include the following:
• Dedicated accommodation units for vulnerable people are being established including a unit for victims of trafficking (VOT);
• Independent monitoring of IPAS centre standards by HIQA has been introduced which will provide greater confidence on the standards being applied in existing IPAS accommodation;
• International Protection Child Payment (IPCP) has been sanctioned. This payment will contribute towards the cost of raising a child, protect against child poverty, and enable participation in Irish society. The Department are currently dealing with DSP regarding the administering of this payment;
• Establishment of Local Authority Integration Teams at a county level. These teams will provide on-going support to International Protection (IP) Applicants, Programme Refugees and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to better enable them to engage with existing services and ultimately to live independently in the community. 75% of personnel for the teams are now in place;
• Two new funds aimed at IP integration have been introduced:
• An international Protection Integration Fund enabling community based organisations play a greater role in the integration of IP’s. Over €2.8m has been provided since 2022. The 2024 fund is currently being administered with €1.5m made available;
• Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) fund which enhances the provision of their support services to children, young people and their families in International Protection accommodation settings. €1.3m in funding was provided in 2023 and a further €1.2m has been administered in 2024.
• Under the European Social Fund 2021-2027 funding has been allocated to recruit dedicated practitioners to support families living in IPAS accommodation.
In addition to above a Community Engagement Team (CET) has been established to engage directly with elected representatives, relevant Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, and other entities and individuals. The purpose of the team is to improve the flow of information regarding arrivals into areas and to help equip local communities with the accurate information required to help them understand the current situation and to assist with the welcome and integration process for new arrivals.
The implementation of a new model of accommodation and supports for International Protection applicants is and will continue to be a key priority for this government.
445. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of the 13,000 State-owned IPAS units targeted by 2028 under the ‘Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for International Protection Applicants’ that will be dedicated to reception and integration centres and accommodation centres respectively; and the estimated number of centres needed to accommodate the targeted unit capacity for reception and integration centres and accommodation centres respectively, in tabular form. [20401/24]
View answer446. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of how many of the 11,000 commercially owned contingency accommodation units targeted by 2028 under the ‘Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for International Protection Applicants’ are estimated to be delivered through the acquisition of new IPAS centres; and how many through upgrades of existing IPAS centres. [20402/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 445 and 446 together.
In 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, over 3300, received in January and February according to IPO published statistics. This represents a 56% increase when compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
On the 27th March 2024 Government agreed a new Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for International Protection applicants. The strategy seeks to address the current accommodation shortfall, while reforming the system over the longer term to ensure the State will always be able to meet its international commitments.
Accommodation in the new strategy will be delivered through the following multi-strand approach:
1. Use of State land for prefabricated and modular units
2. Conversion of commercial buildings
3. Targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties
4. Design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres
5. Upgrading of IPAS Centres
The table below details the composition of accommodation from 2028 onwards
|
Accommodation Type |
Bed Capacity |
Ownership |
|
Reception and Integration Centres and Accommodation Centres, at national standards |
Up to 13,000 |
State Owned |
|
In-Community Accommodation for vulnerable persons, at national standards. |
Up to 1,000 |
State Owned, operated in partnership with NGOs. |
|
Contingency Accommodation, at national standards |
Up to 11,000 |
Commercial Providers |
|
Emergency Accommodation |
Up to 10,000 |
Commercial Providers |
As detailed in the strategy, accommodation will be delivered through a blended approach of purchasing, turnkey deliverable and delivery on State owned sites. The breakdown of dedicated state owned Reception and Integration and Accommodation Centres will be dependent on the opportunities that arise from the multi-strand approach. Progress made on the CAS includes the launching on the 30th April of an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the purchase or leasing of turnkey properties. The EOI requires properties submitted for consideration to be able to accommodate a minimum of 150 individuals.
In relation to the 11,000 commercially owned contingency accommodation units targeted by 2028, existing IPAS centres will be used if they pass an assessment of their physical and social infrastructure in line with National Standards. Additionally new centres will be acquired as detailed above.
448. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if payments due to a company for the provision of accommodation (details supplied) will be paid immediately; if a designated official will be appointed to contact each company directly to resolve any issues that may be delaying the payments due, and if he will expedite the matter. [20424/24]
View answerI am informed that officials in my Department have been in contact with the accommodation provider in question with regard to required adjustments to invoices to take due account of occupancy, agreed rates and contractual terms. The provider should be encouraged to contact my Department to conclude this matter. I can assure the Deputy that every effort is made to pay without delay all of the accommodation providers who have assisted my Department in this unprecedented response to the needs of Ukrainians granted temporary protection in Ireland.
449. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if payment due to a company (details supplied) for the provision of accommodation will be paid immediately. [20425/24]
View answerI am advised by my officials that they have engaged directly with the provider to which the Deputy refers. A payment for the March invoice has been processed and will issue in due course.
