I propose to take Questions Nos. 509, 510 and 511 together.
Ireland is currently accommodating more than 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes almost 75,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 26,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.
Department officials are working tirelessly to bring more bed spaces into use, and since January 2022 have brought 208 properties into use to accommodate those who arrive in Ireland seeking international protection (IP). This brings the total number of IPAS centres to 257, with capacity for 27,275 beds.
Initial offers of accommodation are received by the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) primarily through its e-mail portal - ipps@equality.gov.ie.
Once an offer is received, IPPS sends a proposal template to the prospective provider that they are required to complete and return. The proposal template seeks to gather as much information as is reasonably practicable to facilitate an objective assessment of the suitability of the premises to accommodate international protection (IP) applicants. This includes information on the building's safety and fitness for occupancy, its catering provision and room sizes, its recreational and lounge facilities and various other criteria such as Wi-Fi, security provision and staffing. When an offer is received and assessed, the onus is on the provider to ensure that the property is of a suitable standard.
Similarly, once an offer is received on the online offers portal for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) accommodation it is assessed for suitability to accommodate BOTPs. This includes a range of factors such as accommodation suitability, rates, room sizes, capacity and amenities, information on the building's safety and fitness for occupancy, and Wi-Fi, security provision and staffing.
When an offer is received and assessed, the onus is on the provider to ensure that the property is of an adequate standard and that the provider will provide the services in accordance with good industry practice and comply with all applicable laws including but not limited to all obligations in the field of health and safety, environmental, social, child protection, and labour law that apply at the place where the services are provided.
If a property is in need of significant conversion/refurbishment works it is passed on to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for assessment under the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme. As with all offers of accommodation to house BOTPs, but most particularly with regard to those requiring conversion/refurbishment, a detailed assessment must be carried out to ensure the property being offered is being prepared to the required standard and complies with building and fire regulations. This accommodation strand is focused on supporting the delivery of multi-unit refurbished accommodation which requires upgrade and refurbishment before it could accept BOTP residents.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth recently launched (November 2023) an online portal for developer-led modular accommodation on gov.ie where providers can submit expressions of interest. All offers made through the portal are given due consideration, and this process is ongoing.
