Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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274. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current average timeline to process an application for one person seeking permission to remain, not including persons fleeing war (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56075/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In regards to the current average timeline to process an application for one person seeking permission to remain, not including persons fleeing war, this information is collated by the Department of Justice who have sole responsibility for the application process.

As you know, my Department has responsibility for accommodation matters. For this reason I suggest that you address this part of your question with my colleague, the Minister for Justice.

From the beginning of 2022 to date, over 12,300 people have arrived in Ireland seeking international protection and as of 30 October 2022, there are 16,838 people availing of International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation as a whole. This compares with 7,250 people in IPAS accommodation at this time in 2021.

This figure is in addition to the arrival of over 57,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in the last seven months of whom over 45,500 have sought accommodation assistance from my Department as a result of the war in Ukraine.

My Department is working urgently across Government and with agencies, NGOs and local authorities to bring new accommodation on board so that the State’s humanitarian responsibilities can be met for both International Protection Applicants and those from Ukraine.

However, the pressure on the State to accommodate almost 62,500 people currently has led to significant shortages particularly for the international protection cohort. Given the significantly increased numbers of arrivals in the context of accommodation shortages, DCEDIY has no option but to consider all offers of accommodation. 

My Department remains actively engaged in the sourcing of emergency accommodation to ensure we can continue to meet our international obligations to those seeking refuge in Ireland.

I trust this information clarifies the matter Deputy.