Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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202. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the claims by an organisation (details supplied) in respect of international protection breaches in the context of accommodating newly arrived refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6397/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Department is aware of its obligations under the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), where it 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.

Since the beginning of 2022, Ireland has accommodated more than 74,000 people who have fled here, between IPAs and those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Last year, over 15,000 people arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation while their applications for international protection are processed by the International Protection Office (IPO). Over the period 2017-2019 an average of 3,500 people applied for protection each year. In the first month of 2023, 1,200 people have arrived seeking international protection in Ireland.

Due to the nationwide shortage of available accommodation for international protection applicants (IPAs), particularly single males, the Citywest transit hub has been providing emergency shelter while IPAs wait to be assigned to accommodation.

On 24 January, the Citywest transit hub reached capacity and entry for adult IPAs was paused on that date.

As of 2 February the total number of people who have not been accommodated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) since 24 January stands at 79.

Over 80 IPAs who were previously not provided accommodation on arrival have since been contacted and accommodated by IPAS.

During this time IPAS has continued to provide accommodation for all IP families with children.

Any IPAs who are not provided with accommodation when applying for international protection at the International Protection Office (IPO) have their contact details taken and are contacted as soon as accommodation becomes available.

The situation will remain under constant review and ongoing intensive efforts are being made by my officials to source accommodation.

The response to the ongoing migration crisis has now entered an extremely difficult phase, with insufficient accommodation available nationwide for IPAs. Procuring enough bed space to keep pace with incoming arrivals remains extremely challenging, leading to very significant shortages.

The outlook for accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine is also extremely challenging.

My Department is exploring all potential sources of accommodation to ensure that accommodation is brought onstream as quickly as possible.