Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023
473. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the contingencies in place for refugees and international protection applicants who are being accommodated in tents when a weather warning is in place, or where heavy rain downpours occur. [41043/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to supporting all those seeking refuge in Ireland and is considering all offers of accommodation. The department is currently availing of repurposed office buildings, decommissioned Defense Forces barracks and tents to try to address shortfalls in reception capacity.
Each centre where applicants for International Protection are being provided with accommodation in tents, has designated an individual who assumes responsibility for monitoring the weather forecast. In certain locations, there may be capacity to provide residents with shelter in on-site buildings that are sufficiently spacious to offer comfortable accommodation for the duration during of weather warnings.
The tents that are providing accommodation for International Protection applicants are suitable for use in up to 120km/h winds. In cases where permanent buildings are not accessible, and if forecasted maximum wind speed exceed 120 km/h, contact will be made with the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), who will immediately arrange for alternative locations to move residents to for the duration of the weather event, in so far as possible.
Once the weather event has passed, the residents will be transported back to their accommodation. During periods of heavy rain or strong winds, all tent entrances are securely sealed to prevent any water ingress, ensuring residents remain dry and safe.
