Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
1140. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail his plans to secure adequate and safe accommodation for all international protection applicants and to prevent the emergence of refugee camps on our streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12142/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1188. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details of the measures his Department is implementing to address the safety and humanitarian situation of individuals being forced to live in tents outside the International Protection Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12987/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1195. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on conditions for international protection applicants sleeping in tents in congregated areas of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13153/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1140, 1188 and 1195 together.
On Saturday 16th March, the Department offered alternative shelter to all International Protection (IP) applicants camped at Mount Street. All those who accepted the offer were provided with tented accommodation at a site in Crooksling.
The site at Mount Street was cleared over the weekend in cooperation with Dublin City Council due to the emerging public health and security risks.
IP applicants at Crooksling have access to clean toilets and showers, health services, indoor areas where food is provided, facilities to charge phones and personal devices, access to public transport to and from Dublin City Centre and 24 hour onsite security.
More broadly, the situation in relation to accommodation remains very challenging. The supply of available accommodation is severely diminished. What accommodation can be opened at this point is primarily being utilised for families in order to avoid women and children becoming homeless. Since January, approximately 2,400 beds have been brought into use for those seeking accommodation.
Drop-in day services remain available 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, Crosscare, 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.
