Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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135. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons that applied for refugee status, subsidiary protection or humanitarian leave to remain for the first time in 2020 and were subsequently housed in direct provision; the number of persons that had their case processed to completion and left direct provision in 2020; the number in direct provision on 1 January 2020; the number in direct provision on 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6205/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department provides accommodation and ancillary support services to persons who have applied for international protection where the applicant indicates that such accommodation and services are required.  Not every person who seeks international protection chooses to accept this offer, and some choose to live independently or with friends in communities across the country, as they are entirely free to do. 

My Department does not hold data pertaining to the number of persons who have applied for refugee status, subsidiary protection or humanitarian leave to remain, as all matters pertaining to international protection applications fall within the remit of the Department of Justice. I can tell you that, in 2020, the number of applicants for an International Protection status received into IPAS accommodation was 1,007.

On 1^stJanuary 2020, there were 7,683 persons were being accommodated by IPAS while on 1^stJanuary 2021 the number was 6,996.

Residents who have been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals.  My Department provides supports for residents to transition to housing in the community through the McVerry Trust and De Paul.  Last year a total of 1,136 residents were successful in making this transition in the community.