Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 February 2022
517. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons living in direct provision and emergency accommodation who share a bedroom with a non-family member; the median length of stay in such accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7564/22]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that on 11 February 2022 the number of unrelated single residents sharing a room in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation was 2,374. This comprises 1,361 residents in a room assigned to 2 people and 1,015 residents in a room assigned to 3 people.
It should be noted that some of these 2 and 3 person rooms may not be fully occupied at any given time for a variety of operational reasons. In line with IPAS policy, there are never more than 3 unrelated single persons sharing a room with other people at any given time.
My Department recently published a Request for Tender to procure additional accommodation for single people and families seeking international protection. This tender process will focus on the provision of own-door accommodation and facilities to allow for independent living such as access to cooking and laundry facilities and communal family areas outside bedrooms.
This will allow IPAS to improve the quality of the accommodation and services offered to international protection applicants and to move away from reliance on temporary or emergency accommodation. It is anticipated that the tender will provide the Department with adequate capacity so that IPAS can respond flexibly to increases in demand for accommodation as they arise. The tender also seeks to reduce the number of single people sharing rooms with non-family members.
