Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 February 2024
264. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of sites that have been identified by his Department to develop purpose-built accommodation capable of providing structured humanitarian aid in a sustainable way; when he expects any such sites to commence construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9785/24]
View answerIn February 2021 A White Paper to End Direct Provision and establish a new International Protection Service was published. The paper set out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland and contains three core themes – accommodation, integration and supports.
Since January 2022, more than 29,000 people have come to Ireland seeking International Protection. At the same time, more than 100,000 people have fled from Ukraine, the vast majority of whom have required accommodation from the State.
In this context, there is a recognition that the underlying assumptions on which the White Paper was based needs to be re-examined, as the assumptions underpinning it are based on 3500 new arrivals each year. A review of the implementation approach including timelines and deliverables was initiated. Development of this revised implementation approach for the White Paper is at a very advanced stage. Discussions are continuing between the Governments parties with a view to bringing a final plan to Cabinet within the coming weeks. The new implementation approach will have a strong focus on increasing the state owned accommodation capacity through the advancement of capital delivery projects through a multi-strand approach of construction and acquisition of existing properties.
In addition to delivering a new approach for the White Paper the department is in the early stages of planning its approach for the delivery of the increased state owned accommodation capacity. Discussions are ongoing with Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, as part of the NDP review, regarding the need for significant capital monies to deliver on this.
