Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
406. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the engagement, if any, he has had with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Dublin Region Homeless Executive regarding the process of providing interim services to IPAS applicants experiencing homelessness whilst awaiting accommodation. [22650/23]
View answerMy Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless accommodation and related services rests with individual local authorities.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), a division of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), is responsible for the provision of accommodation and related services to people in the International Protection (asylum) process. While my Department has no role in this regard, officials from my Department have recently engaged with DCEDIY, the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, to provide support and assistance.
I can confirm that, in order to assist IPAS alleviate the current situation, the CCMA has identified potential facilities which may be suitable for accommodation and have shared those details with IPAS. My Department has also shared contact details for current homeless service providers with IPAS to allow them to discuss the potential to set up additional services directly between IPAS and those providers. I understand that the DRHE has also agreed to meet with IPAS to offer advice in this regard.
My Department will continue to engage with DCEDIY and provide support where possible.
