International Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2024

Wednesday, 17 April 2024

Questions (127)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

127. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can confirm with regard to the IPAS contract signed with a hotel (details supplied), if the contract is being paid at a rate of 500 beds, which was the original stated figure provided under the initial Department briefing issued on 13 February, or if the State is funding the maximum allowable number of applicants under the current fire safety certificate, which is approximately half of the quoted 500 in the original brief; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17000/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The D Hotel has been offered to the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) and contracted to provide accommodation to International Protection (IP) applicants under the emergency appraisal process, with a capacity of 500 beds. It is functioning as a dispersal centre for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) with families in residence for a short period of time before transfer to an alternative centre

The Local Authority holds the remit for assessing compliance with Fire Safety and for enforcing the regulations around same. Following the signing of the contract and occupation of the property, the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) visited the site and instructed the provider that alterations to the existing fire protection measures should be undertaken, and reduced the capacity on the existing Fire Certificate to 250.

The provider has carried out the instructions of the CFO and continues to await his written verification of compliance, following verbal confirmation at the time of inspection.

Providers of accommodation are entitled to invoice the Department for the agreed capacity rate as per the contract they have agreed.