Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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610. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will change policy to ensure that all refugees will in future be provided with accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26002/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The State has a legal and moral obligation to assess the claims of those who seek refuge and to provide accommodation and supports in line with the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018).

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not make a decision to not provide accommodation to an international protection applicant (IPA), it is in the absence of an alternative, that IPAS is not in a position to provide accommodation.

Since the beginning of 2022, Ireland and many other European countries are experiencing a significant increase of new arrivals seeking international protection (IP).

In the first twenty weeks of 2023, more than 3,600 people have arrived in Ireland averaging 182 people per week – almost triple the average from 2017-2019.

The number of IPs awaiting accommodation has been reduced significantly and as of close of business 24th May 2023, 217 IPA's are currently waiting for an offer of accommodation. 1,063 have received a retrospective offer of accommodation.

The Department has considered all offers of accommodation. It is availing of office buildings, decommissioned Defence Forces barracks and tents to try to address the shortfall.

The Department is continuing to engage with providers on new accommodation and a number of repurposed buildings will shortly be brought into use as adult male accommodation to further reduce the numbers unaccommodated.