Departmental Properties

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2023

Thursday, 16 February 2023

Ceisteanna (304)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

304. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has received a request from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to identify properties under the control of her Department or under the control of agencies under the remit of her Department for the purposes of providing accommodation to international protection applicants or beneficiaries of temporary protection; if she has identified potential properties and their locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7943/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

A request has been received from the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth seeking facilities in large vacant buildings that could be used to accommodate 50 to 100 people and which are available immediately.

Neither my Department nor its agencies have vacant buildings at present as all are in use for office accommodation. With the exception of Arás Mhic Dhiaramda, the headquarters building of my Department, all property occupied is owned or leased by the Office of Public Works (OPW) and, in some cases, my Department is one of a number of tenants in a building. The situation will kept under review for any potential to relinquish property.