Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 March 2023
16. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will revisit his emergency accommodation policy published on 24 January that announced a pause in provision of emergency shelter to international protection adults arriving to Citywest; the number of international protection adults who are currently without accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15764/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe situation in Citywest remains under constant review.
The number of international protection applicants seeking accommodation from the State remains at elevated levels. As of 26 March, 2,475 persons requested International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation so far in 2023. As at 26 March, there are over 20,200 people accommodated by IPAS compared to 10,000 at this time last year.
While IPAS has procured over 2,000 beds since 1 January 2023, this is not sufficient to meet demand, particularly in relation to accommodation for single males. As of 28 March, 425 single males have not been accommodated. IPAS offers accommodation in sequence to those not originally accommodated on a strict chronological basis. 322 people who were previously not offered accommodation have subsequently been offered it.
However, the period elapsing before an offer of accommodation can be made is lengthening because of the competing need to accommodate those losing accommodation in the hotels which are ending in March / April.
IPAS has already re-accommodated 1,200 of the 1,400 people affected by hotel closures but regrets that despite best efforts it has been unable to source accommodation for the remaining 209 people affected.
Since the outbreak of the current crisis, over 800 accommodation contracts have been put in place with over 44,735 beds in hotels, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain emergency or repurposed settings, including sports facilities, tented accommodation, and office buildings.
All of the limited accommodation capacity within the IPAS system is currently being used. Officials continue to seek accommodation solutions to the increasing numbers of IP arrivals and are in ongoing negotiations with providers to bring on more capacity that will meet basic needs and prevent homelessness.
Over 100 emergency accommodation locations have been brought into use since January 2022 across 17 counties.
