Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Neville for raising this issue and offering me the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Minister for Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy Foley. Ryevale House in County Kildare is an International Protection Accommodation Service, IPAS, accommodation centre, contracted to the Department since 2023. It provides shelter to approximately 90 women who are applying for international protection. The basis for applying for international protection, also known as asylum or refugees status, is fleeing war or persecution in one's home country. As international protection applicants, people are entitled to shelter and support under both Irish and EU law. Ireland has seen a sharp increase in the number of people applying for international protection in recent years. The Department provides accommodation to more than 33,000 people today. Since 2021, when we provided 7,000 places, this demand-led system has grown by more than 400%. Pressure on accommodation availability of all types is extremely high. The Department has extended all teams to try to meet this always-growing demand. Yet, despite this effort, more than 3,500 people are without an offer of accommodation since 2023.

The international protection procurement service, IPPS, within the Department is tasked with providing sufficient capacity to meet the demand for accommodation services for international protection applicants, a legal requirement under the recast reception conditions directive. The Department understands there is ongoing engagement between the provider, the local authority, An Bord Pleanála and the courts about planning matters at this property. It is important to note that regulatory matters related to planning are between the local authority and the accommodation service provider. The Department understands that the decision on planning permission for this property is before the courts and it is not appropriate for the Department to comment further on the matter at this time.

If there are matters arising from the court decision on this case that require action on the part of the Department, we will progress these without delay. While demand continues to outweigh supply for accommodation services for people seeking international protection and more than 3,500 people are without an offer of accommodation, Ryevale House will continue to accommodate approximately 90 adult females who are international protection applicants until a court has ruled on those matters. I trust this information is helpful.

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