Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

55. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he anticipates being able to provide suitable accommodation for all refugees and asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25935/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The accommodation of international protection applicants (IPAs) is a demand-led process with applicants arriving in the country and seeking accommodation spontaneously.

Ireland is now accommodating over 85,400 people between those fleeing Ukraine and international protection applicants (IPAs). This compares with over 8,500 at the end of February 2022.

In terms of the Ukraine Crisis, efforts to secure additional accommodation include the continued matching of pledge offers. To date, over 7,300 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) have been accommodated in 3,200 pledge properties.

My Department is also collaborating with the OPW in implementing the 'rapid build' homes. The Government has approved the construction of 700 rapid builds for BOTP's with the potential to house up to 2,800 individuals in family units.

My Department is collaborating with both the D/Defence and Defence Forces in procuring additional temporary accommodation facilities including Kilbride Army Camp and Columbs Barracks in Mullingar has also recently come on stream.

IPAS considers all offers of accommodation and 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 of unaccommodated.

Government is stepping up action to maximise the pace and scale of delivery on the accommodation strategy for people seeking international protection in Ireland. An expanded programme of work has now been agreed by Government that will allow consideration of sites for development for the use of alternative modular buildings.

In addition, the Department is progressing with a plan to deliver capacity through ‘floating accommodation’. Following detailed investigation and analysis of its use, and in consultation with various stakeholders including the Maritime Unit, Department of Transport, the Department is expected to publish a Request for Tender on eTenders in the coming weeks. It is envisaged that circa 1,500 bed spaces will be created from this accommodation type.