Sorca Clarke
Question:668. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many people are currently residing in Columb Barracks, Mullingar. [54646/23]
View answerTuesday, 12 December 2023
Questions (668, 669, 670, 671)
Sorca Clarke
Question:669. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what supports, facilities and access to State agencies or NGOs are available for people residing in Columb Barracks, Mullingar. [54647/23]
View answerSorca Clarke
Question:670. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to ensure that the residents of Columb Barracks are provided with safe and habitable living conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54648/23]
View answerSorca Clarke
Question:671. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what plans he has in place to encourage integration between the residents in Columb Barracks and the wider community of Mullingar. [54649/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 668 to 671, inclusive, together.
Ireland is currently accommodating approximately 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes nearly 74,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and 26,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.
Due to the unprecedented numbers of International Protection (IP) applicants and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) seeking accommodation assistance, there is an acute shortfall of available accommodation.
The State has witnessed a near fourfold increase in those seeking international protection when comparing current numbers against 2017-2018 norms. The number of people seeking international protection in recent months has shown a further increase and September has seen the highest number of monthly applications in 2023, with October seeing a similarly large trend.
As such, there has been a need for Ireland, and for many Member States across Europe, to turn to movable structures such as tents and modular solutions to provide shelter and to prevent homelessness.
While the priority must remain on providing shelter in as far as possible and the use of tents is required as part of that response, the Department is endeavouring to ensure that the use of the tents is kept as short term as possible. Only 1.5% of those currently in IPAS accommodation are currently residing in tented accommodation.
As of 3rd December 2023, there are currently 60 IP applicants and 23 BOTPs accommodated in tented solutions in Columb Barracks.
On foot of the Government’s proof of concept modular accommodation project, the Department has also constructed 50 modular accommodation units on site in Columb Barracks, with a further 12 units due to be completed by February 2024. The first 20 units were occupied by Ukrainian families this week, with further families moving into the remaining units in January and February 2024.
The IPAS Customer Service and Resident Welfare Teams attended the centre in July to conduct a joint in-person clinic and spoke to many residents about their concerns. Residents were reminded of the existing complaints procedure as outlined in the IPAS House Rules and encouraged to report any and all concerns to IPAS. IPAS continually engage with Centre Managers when alerted to issues by residents at clinics or through the IPAS Helpdesk.
IP applicants and BOTPs have access to mainstream services, including public health and education. Specific supports and signposting for IP applicants are generally provided through the IPAS Vulnerability Assessment process, which identifies vulnerable persons who have special reception conditions as defined under S.I. No. 230/2018 - European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018.
The IPAS Customer Service team has been engaging with residents on a regular basis in relation to issues raised and to continuously communicate with them in relation to the ongoing accommodation crisis. A Customer Service clinic was held on November 9th and the customer service team attended a transfer from the centre on 27th November.
The Customer Service team will continue to attend the centre as often as practicable. Furthermore, the Jesuit Refugee Service attend the centre with visits on 2nd November and 15th November. The Jesuit Refugee Service provide information, advice, signposting, and advocacy services to residents and engage with IPAS on a regular basis. The Department is aware of positive integration work undertaken by a number of volunteer organisations and community groups in the Co. Westmeath area. This promotes integration and links residents of Columb Barracks to their wider community.
A new local integration model has been developed in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), the City and County Management Authority (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). The model centres on a new national network of Local Authority Integration Teams (LAITs), funded by DCEDIY, to be located in each local authority, to better help International Protection applicants engage with existing local services. Recruitment for the LAITs is underway by individual Local Authorities. It is anticipated that the majority of LAITS will be in place by the end of quarter one 2024.
Question No. 669 answered with Question No. 668.
Question No. 670 answered with Question No. 668.
Question No. 671 answered with Question No. 668.