Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1241. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a property (details supplied) is to be used for emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17236/23]
View answerLast year, over 15,000 people arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation while their applications for international protection are processed by the International Protection Office (IPO).
In the first thirteen weeks of 2023, over 2,600 people have arrived seeking international protection in Ireland. In addition, the Department has had to re-accommodate almost 2,000 people in situations where hotel and short term emergency locations have ended in 2023.
At the time of writing, there are almost 500 international protection applicants who have not been accommodated. Many of them are in the unfortunate position of having no accommodation at all.
In this severely pressurised context, my Department is currently responding to an offer from an accommodation provider in respect of the properties mentioned in Dublin 6.
A full assessment of the property is underway at present and, if a contract is agreed, the property will be used to accommodate international protection applicants.
