Written answers

Thursday, 2 June 2022

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Direct Provision System

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

45. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of asylum seekers that have been given own door accommodation since publication of the White Paper For Ending Direct Provision. [28429/22]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As set out in A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service, my Department is currently working on implementing a new model of accommodation and supports for International Protection applicants.

Where capacity permits, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) will endeavour to provide own door accommodation - with families prioritised for own-door accommodation.

In March, 2021, Port Road Apartments, Letterkenny opened. These are own door apartments providing accommodation for 60 families. Own door emergency accommodation opened recently in Wicklow, with 9 families  provided with own door accommodation with more families to  move there in the coming weeks. In addition, there are currently around 400 people being accommodated in Travelodge Townsend Street, Dublin. All singles are in their own rooms there.  

On the whole, across commercial and State-owned International Protection Accommodation Centres - not including emergency centres, reception centres, Emergency Reception Orientation Centres (EROCs) or centres recently taken on to accommodate Ukrainian arrivals - 81% of residents have access to independent living facilities. Residents can cook and shop for themselves, families have access to private living room spaces, and residents have access to social spaces. Added to this, 33% have access to own-door unit settings. This means that residents live in a self-contained unit such as an apartment which has a private kitchen and living space.

In addition, a request for tender (RFT) has been issued by my Department early this year seeking additional accommodation for applicants for international protection which enables families to be accommodated in independent living options. This tender is a key plank in the strategy to end the current reliance on emergency accommodation. The aim is to ensure that all families in the international protection process are accommodated in independent living options once they have completed the initial reception process. 

The compliance check process was due to begin on 28 February but was delayed due to the Ukrainian refugee situation. However, the compliance check has now recommenced and properties which fulfill the requirements of the tender will be contracted as soon as possible.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.