Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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516. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of emergency reception and orientation centres operating in the State in 2021; the capacity and occupancy of each centre as of 31 December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7563/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Thank you for your query, Deputy. I can confirm there are two Emergency Reception Orientation Centres (EROCs) currently in operation:

- The Abbeyfield Hotel, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon

- The Clonea Strand Hotel, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

In addition, there are dedicated EROC places within the Mosney Accommodation Centre, due to its particular suitability for families. The table below sets out the current numbers for each of the centres as of 31 December 2021. The Deputy should note that room configurations and family size can have an impact on the contracted capacity of an EROC.

EROC Accommodation Centres

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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517. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons living in direct provision and emergency accommodation who share a bedroom with a non-family member; the median length of stay in such accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7564/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I can inform the Deputy that on 11 February 2022 the number of unrelated single residents sharing a room in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation was 2,374. This comprises 1,361 residents in a room assigned to 2 people and 1,015 residents in a room assigned to 3 people.

It should be noted that some of these 2 and 3 person rooms may not be fully occupied at any given time for a variety of operational reasons. In line with IPAS policy, there are never more than 3 unrelated single persons sharing a room with other people at any given time.

My Department recently published a Request for Tender to procure additional accommodation for single people and families seeking international protection. This tender process will focus on the provision of own-door accommodation and facilities to allow for independent living such as access to cooking and laundry facilities and communal family areas outside bedrooms.

This will allow IPAS to improve the quality of the accommodation and services offered to international protection applicants and to move away from reliance on temporary or emergency accommodation. It is anticipated that the tender will provide the Department with adequate capacity so that IPAS can respond flexibly to increases in demand for accommodation as they arise. The tender also seeks to reduce the number of single people sharing rooms with non-family members.