Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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547. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the duty of care that he has provided to all emergency accommodation recipients under his Department with basic habitation and sanitation standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21573/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Ireland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, my Department has worked to accommodate an unprecedented volume of persons seeking refuge following the invasion of Ukraine including 81,000 people arriving in Ireland, of which 60,000 have sought accommodation from this Department.

Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, the Department has contracted in excess of 47,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 770 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.

The priority is to place people fleeing the war in safe and secure accommodation.

I would like to assure the Deputy that the health and wellbeing of all people who avail of accommodation provided by this Department is of the highest priority to me and my officials.

I am advised by my officials that as part of our contractual arrangements with accommodation providers for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) we set out a number of requirements which providers must meet in terms of service provision, including delivery of key services, laundry, meals (including cultural/dietary requirements) in serviced accommodation, and cooking facilities in self-catering accommodation, and compliance with all obligations in terms of health and safety, child protection etc. Any alleged breaches of the foregoing are investigated by the Department.

As of 30 April 2023, there are over 20,320 people in IPAS accommodation, compared with 8,575 in February 2022.

IPAS centres are operating at full capacity across the accommodation system due to the record numbers of people arriving to Ireland seeking international protection (IP). Officials continue to seek accommodation solutions to the increasing numbers of IP arrivals. As of cob 03 May there were 593 International Protection applicants to whom unfortunately, the Department has been unable to offer accommodation.

Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country to alleviate pressure in the system. There have been in excess of 135 emergency accommodation locations opened since January 2022. These options are necessary in order to provide shelter to IP arrivals to meet basic needs and to prevent homelessness.

It is important to note that there are inspections carried out under the current system. At present, all IPAS permanent accommodation centres are subject to three unannounced inspections per year. In 2022, inspections were carried out in each centre by an independent inspections company (QTS Ltd) and one by officials of the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). The third round of inspections were delayed as the usual mid-year round of inspections due to the Department’s response to the Ukraine crisis. In 2022, all IPAS centres with the exception of two permanent centres had two inspections carried out. Five centres had three inspections carried out.

IPAS is always available to deal with any complaints from residents and residents are encouraged to engage with IPAS if they are unhappy with any aspect of their accommodation. Where a complaint is significant in nature or a resident is not comfortable raising a complaint with a centre manager, they may make the complaint directly, or through a representative authorised to act on their behalf, to the IPAS Customer Service Team. IPAS also funds a dedicated NGO run helpline where residents can raise any concerns or issues they may have.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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548. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will confirm whether tents are being used at a site (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21574/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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There are 102 people currently being accommodated in tented accommodation in Knockalisheen Accommodation Centre.

Due to the unprecedented numbers seeking accommodation assistance there has been a need for Ireland and for many administrations across Europe, to turn to movable structures such as tents and modular solutions to provide shelter and to prevent homelessness.

Tented accommodation was set up in three locations to provide additional emergency capacity in 2022 whilst more permanent accommodation could be sourced and contracted. The accommodation was located in Athlone Accommodation Centre (175), Co. Westmeath; Knockalisheen Accommodation Centre (104), Co. Clare; and, Johnston Marina Accommodation Centre (40), Co Kerry.

The tented accommodation that was in use in the three locations was stood down for the winter period in November 2022. All residents from the three locations where temporary tented solutions were being used, were moved to more suitable IPAS accommodation at various locations.

However, the tented accommodation in Knockalisheen was re-commissioned in early January 2023 due to high arrival numbers over the Christmas period.

While the priority must remain on providing shelter in as far as possible and the use of tents is required, the Department will endeavour ensure that the use of the tents is kept as short term as possible.