James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Gabh mo leithscéal. To add to the Deputy's points, there are a lot of outstanding questions in this area but, with regard to the analysis of the approximately 1,300 additional beds, I would like to get a better sense from the Department of how the contracts were awarded to different operators. We have seen substantial growth in the acquisition of hotels that have now been turned into de facto direct provision accommodation. The lack of information on the awarding of those contracts is quite worrying. There has not really been any proper in-depth analysis of this within the Oireachtas. There is a very significant amount of public money involved and it is important that we delve into this. It is so lucrative that hotels and former nursing homes are being purchased by private operators that are making exceptionally high profits.

The Committee of Public Accounts needs to have a look at this and some analysis from the Department is needed to get further information. The demand is increasing as a consequence of the war in Ukraine and changes to the rules for obtaining refugee status in the United Kingdom and the additional investment and budget for the acquisition of properties under State-funded contracts for emergency accommodation to provide for people coming into the country under the existing mechanism is going unchecked. There is an urgent need for the Committee of Public Accounts to look at this issue. It would be very beneficial to put it on the work programme.