Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2023
516. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of any correspondence he has with the Catholic Church regarding the making available of buildings owned by the Church for the accommodation of refugees and asylum seekers, including the provision of former school buildings owned by the Catholic Church that are now vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8795/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to your question of buildings owned by the Church for the accommodation of refugees and asylum seekers, including the provision of former school buildings owned by the Catholic Church, the Department has utilised offers that have come through the Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) for religious buildings such as seminaries and convents for IPAS accommodation.
There are also a number of such buildings which are currently in use for the accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) and these types of buildings include former convents and former religious order schools.
