Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
199. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of International Protection Accommodation Services centres and emergency accommodation centres in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the status of his plans to close these centres; the expected timeline for the closure of the centres that are still in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5356/22]
View answerI can confirm that there is one International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) Centre and one IPAS Emergency Accommodation Centre in County Monaghan. There are two IPAS Emergency Centres in County Cavan.
Although there are no specific plans for closures in these locations currently, I can say my Department plans to cease using all temporary emergency locations as soon as possible while taking account of capacity pressures on the IPAS accommodation portfolio.
IPAS has been working to end the use of emergency accommodation since early 2020 and has already closed 20 such centres. This is just under half the total in use at one time.
On 18 January 2022, my Department published a Request for Tender to procure additional accommodation for singles, couples and families seeking international protection. This tender process is a key plank in the Department’s strategy to end reliance on emergency accommodation as wetransition toward a new International Protection Support Service.
Furthermore, the International Protection Support Service Transition Team of my Department is progressing a detailed implementation plan for the new system. This is set out in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service, which I published in February of last year.
My Department is working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and the County and City Management Association (CCMA) on developing the new Accommodation Model and wrap-around services for residents.
