Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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136. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of refugees and asylum seekers who have been located in each local authority area; the number of modular homes that have been built; and the timeframe for the delivery of same over the next few months. [59594/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive immediately afterwards, over 59,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine and have sought refuge here in Ireland. As of 24 November, over 46,300 of those are being provided with accommodation from the State. In addition to this, the number of International Protection applicants has also risen and there are now over 17,500 applicants being accommodated by the State compared with 7,500 at the same time last year.

In response to the crisis, the Government has sought to provide a range of accommodation solutions in every county in Ireland. This has primarily involved the contracting of hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, but has also included the use of scout halls, religious congregations’ buildings, vacant student accommodation and other locations.

As of 24 November, the breakdown of those accommodated per Local Authority area is as follows.

As part of this considerable national effort, the Government has also approved the construction of 500 rapid build homes, which will aim to provide accommodation to 2,000 individuals in family units. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is leading the development of this accommodation in conjunction with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).

The rapid build homes will be located on State owned land with the first phase sites identified in Cork, Cavan, Tipperary, Sligo and Claremorris. The main contractor is carrying out enabling works on a number of the sites at present. Orders for the first 250 units were arranged in late October and the homes are expected to come off production from mid-December 2022.

It is hoped to have delivery of the first phase of rapid build homes by end March 2023.

For further information on the project please see attached briefing document and link to a gov.ie webpage: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ef882-rapid-build-housing/

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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137. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of the 500 public buildings that were identified for use in the housing of refugees in April 2022 that are currently in use; and the number of the homes and rooms in private homes that were pledged for use to house refugees that have been activated. [59595/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The properties referred to by the Deputy were forwarded by the Department of Housing at the outset of the crisis. I am advised by my officials that following review of the full list provided, it was identified that my Department had already procured many of the properties and others were not actioned as they were not deemed suitable. All avenues in respect of the properties provided have been exhausted.

I can advise the Deputy that every effort is being made to provide beneficiaries of temporary protection with pledged accommodation that is suitable for their needs. Once a pledge has passed through the inspection process and Garda vetting (where applicable), NGO Implementing Partners and Local Authorities will match Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to suitable pledges. Since the beginning of the pledge programme in April this year, approximately 11,000 pledged properties have been notified to Local Authorities and other NGO Implementing Partners, with a view to assessing their viability and to match beneficiaries to those properties where possible.

In particular, efforts are focused on activating the remaining pledges that are available for placement of BOTPs. To date 5,520 Beneficiaries have been matched to more than 2,108 pledged properties and this figure increases every week.

As of 25 November, over €8.4mn has been paid out to over 4,200 applicants in respect of approximately 9,300 Temporary Protection Beneficiaries as part of the Accommodation Recognition Payment.

My Department continues to assess and review accommodation offers on an ongoing basis as to their suitability to the needs of BOTPs.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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138. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of buildings that have been purchased by his Department in the past two years to house asylum seekers and refugees; the number of these that are currently in use; and the number of empty buildings and vacant sites that are in the ownership of or that are being rented out by his Department. [59596/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Deputy, since the publication of the White Paper in February 2022, my department has placed a significant focus on delivering the new model of accommodation and supports. A particular focus was placed on establishing the accommodation model including the acquisition of properties.

From January of this year, the Housing Agency, on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), has sourced and purchased a range of properties across the country. In total 32 properties have been purchased to date.

One of the 32 properties is currently occupied by Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) and it is managed by the Peter McVerry Trust. A process to transition the BOTPs currently living in the accommodation is underway and it is envisaged that the property will be available for International Protection (IP) arrivals from March next year. In regard to the remaining properties which have been purchased, an element of upgrading or renovations is required to make them habitable.

It is planned that these 32 properties will be used to deliver a range of accommodation for vulnerable applicants. My Department and the Housing Agency are currently developing an Expression of Interest (EOI) to commission Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to deliver this supported accommodation. It is planned that the EOI will issue before the end of the year.

I trust this clarifies the matter Deputy.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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139. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a contract was signed with the owners of the former ESB offices in East Wall for the provision of accommodation at that premises; the total cost to date of the purchase, rent or refurbishment of all or part of the building; the total estimated capacity of the building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59607/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Two Gateway Accommodation Centre at East Wall was opened on 18 November. The capacity of the building at East Wall is 380 persons, made of up families and single adults on distinct access controlled floors. There are currently 80 single international protection applicants living in the building. The next arrivals will be families.

Residents will be accommodated mainly in twin bedrooms and in family rooms ranging from four up to six beds per room to a small number of dormitory style bedrooms.

There is a contract in place with the provider to use the building for 12 months initially.

My Department is not in a position to comment on the total cost to date of the purchase, rent or refurbishment of all or part of the building as this is commercially sensitive information.

As of 20 November 2022, there are 17,518 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) system as a whole. Of this total 3,655 are children. At this point in 2021, there were approximately 7,250 people in IPAS accommodation.

The pressure on the State to accommodate over 65,000 people currently has led to significant shortages particularly for the international protection cohort.

Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country. There have been circa 40 accommodation locations utilised since January across 13 counties.

The Department is availing of all offers of accommodation made to it, including the use of office buildings and sports facilities, to address the accommodation shortfall. These options are necessary in order to provide shelter to international protection arrivals, to meet basic needs and to prevent homelessness.

I trust this information clarifies the matter.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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140. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of persons currently being accommodated at the former ESB building in East Wall, by their country of origin, gender, age and whether they are single or part of a family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59608/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Deputy, there are 80 single males currently being accommodated at the former ESB building in East Wall. International Protection applicants have a statutory right to anonymity and, accordingly, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not provide personal information about the occupants of IPAS accommodation such as their nationality. Please see requested information in regard to age ranges below.

Under the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is legally required to provide accommodation to international protection applicants who seek it while their claim for international protection is being determined by the International Protection Office.

The pressure on this Department to accommodate over 65,000 people currently has led to significant shortages particularly for the international protection cohort.

As of 20 November 2022, there are 17,518 people accommodated in the IPAS accommodation system as a whole. Of this total 7,655 are children.

At this point in 2021, there were approximately 7,250 people in IPAS accommodation.

All of the limited accommodation capacity within the IPAS system is currently being used. Given the significantly increased numbers of arrivals in the context of accommodation shortages, the Department has no option but to consider all offers of accommodation including repurposed office buildings in order to provide shelter, meet basic needs and prevent homelessness.