Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1012. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 548 of 9 May 2023, when he plans to decommission the use of tented accommodation at a site (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36102/23]
View answerAny decision to decommission tented accommodation is dependent on having sufficient alternative accommodation to provide shelter to international protection applicants. In 2022, over 15,000 people arrived in Ireland seeking international protection and were accommodated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). The numbers of new arrivals remain elevated. Since the beginning of 2023 to date, over 5,150 people have arrived seeking international protection and have been accommodated by IPAS.
IPAS have also re-accommodated over 2,500 international protection applicants (IPAs) in 2023 who were accommodated in hotels which returned to the tourism sector.
The Department is considering all offers of accommodation and is continuing to engage with providers on new accommodation and repurposed buildings as hospitality sector offers wane.
The Department is also availing of student accommodation this summer that is being used short term to accommodate new arrivals.
The Department is considering a number of proposals to expand longer-term capacity at Knockalisheen using rapid build options.
