Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2024
310. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in view of the fact that there are now over 1,000 asylum seekers without accommodation in Ireland, his plans for the provision of basic sanitation, including toilet facilities, in cities around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11249/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs at 4th March 2024, 1,159 single adult males are awaiting an offer of accommodation. While demand continues to outstrip supply, particularly for single male adults, the Department is ensuring that all single adult women, families and children have been accommodated.
The Department is continuing to work intensively to source further accommodation and to follow up with those International Protection (IP) applicants awaiting an offer of accommodation, and since January 2022 has brought over 200 properties into use to accommodate those who arrive in Ireland seeking international protection. The Department publishes figures relating to IP applicants awaiting an offer of accommodation twice weekly, on the gov.ie website.
All IP applicants who present to the International Protection Office (IPO) during this period are assessed by IPAS and HSE staff for significant vulnerabilities and health issues, and prioritised for accommodation as necessary.
All arriving IP applicants who are not provided with accommodation are provided with a temporary increase of €75 to their Expense Allowance. This increases the allowance from the current rate of €38.80 per week to €113.80 a week for all eligible applicants.
Drop-in day services are provided to all non-accommodated persons who wish to avail of them. In such centres, IP applicants can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week. The Department has arrangements in place for the provision of these services with Mendicity, Capuchin Day Centre and Tiglin at the Lighthouse. The Department is in also in regular contact with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, the Dublin Simon Community, Streetlink Homeless Support Outreach service and others, particularly with regard identification of particularly vulnerable individuals.
As the IPO is located in Dublin, and this is where the vast majority of IP applicants are also located, services to address the current emergency are centred there.
