Emergency Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Questions (1217, 1225, 1231, 1232, 1233, 1234)

Rory Hearne

Question:

1217. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what steps are being taken to ensure that people (including asylum seekers) are not forced out of temporary accommodation once periods of cold weather end; whether action is being taken to end the situation in which asylum seekers have to be rough sleeping in order to avail of or re-enter emergency accommodation; what progress is being made on moving towards a system of permanent accommodation for all asylum seekers while their asylum applications are being processed; the measures he is taking to ensure a move away from a system which involves asylum seekers being placed in tented accommodation without adequate heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1169/25]

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

1225. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what steps are being taken to ensure that people (including asylum seekers) are not forced out of temporary accommodation once periods of cold weather end; the measures being taken to end the system whereby asylum seekers have to be sleeping rough in order to avail of or re-enter emergency accommodation; what progress is being made towards a system of permanent, safe accommodation for all asylum seekers while their asylum applications are being processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1264/25]

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

1231. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans being made to ensure that people, including asylum seekers, are not forced out of temporary accommodation once periods of cold weather end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1293/25]

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

1232. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that are being put in place to end the situation in which asylum seekers must be rough sleeping in order to avail of or re-enter emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1295/25]

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

1233. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update and timeline on the progress being made for the provision of a system of permanent accommodation being provided for all asylum seekers while their asylum applications are being processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1297/25]

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

1234. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that have been put in place to source alternative accommodation options and stop the housing of asylum seekers in tented accommodation without adequate heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1299/25]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 1217, 1225, 1231, 1232, 1233 and 1234 together.

Due to the cold weather warnings earlier in the month, as the Deputies are aware, the Department activated its cold weather response plan to enhance safety measures for people seeking international protection.

The Department’s cold weather response plan focuses on international protection (IP) applicants who are in our tented accommodation sites, and applicants who are unaccommodated. Measures that operate during period of severe weather include providing extra bedding, ensuring that heating in our robust, weather proof tents is operating properly, ongoing outreach to people who are rough-sleeping and taking steps to ensure that new applicants are offered temporary shelter on arrival to Ireland. At some tented sites, options to move to indoor accommodation are also made and taken up by residents. Our teams keep the needs of applicants and residents under ongoing review during these periods.

My Department also continues to develop and source accommodation for international protection applicants in locations all over the country, as part of implementing the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for international protection.

The Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy aims to address the current serious shortfall in accommodation for people seeking international protection and to build a more sustainable system for the longer term.

Intensive efforts are underway to source and bring into use suitable accommodation facilities, and to move over time toward a greater provision of State-owned beds, in line with the strategy.

Accommodation in the new strategy is being delivered through the use of State land for prefabricated and modular units, conversion of commercial buildings, and targeted purchasing of turnkey properties. It will also involve design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres and upgrading of IPAS Centres. This is supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers on an ongoing basis.

I hope the foregoing is helpful.