Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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428. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if IPAS owns properties or sites which are vacant or derelict; if so, the number and addresses of such properties; if they are recorded on the vacancy or dereliction registers; and the reason for which they are vacant or derelict, in tabular form. [43698/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In February 2021 Minister Roderic O’Gorman T.D. Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth published A White Paper to end Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service. The White Paper contained three core themes – accommodation, integration and supports.

Since the lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions there has been a substantial increase in the number of new International Protection arrivals with more than 22,000 people new arrivals since January 2022. These figures are notably in addition to the significant numbers coming to Ireland who have fled the war in Ukraine, the vast majority of whom have required accommodation from the State.

In this context, there is a recognition that the underlying assumptions on which the White Paper was based needed to be re-examined, as the assumptions underpinning it are based on 3500 new arrivals each year. This work is currently being undertaken by DCEDIY with input from the White Paper Programme Board and the External Advisory Group. In terms of next steps, a cabinet memo will be going to government in the coming week setting out a revised implementation approach. Following this, a paper setting out this approach will be published.

Notwithstanding the acute accommodation pressures faced by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) in accommodating International Protection applicants work has continued to deliver on the commitments made in the White Paper

In terms of accommodation, there has been a focus on increasing the state owned accommodation capacity including progressing the buying of pre-existing buildings. This has included the delivery of some accommodation in the community with thirty-seven properties purchased to date across the country. Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have been commissioned to operationalise the properties and will be prioritised to accommodate vulnerable IP applicants. Work to upgrade the houses is currently on going with applicants moving into the houses on a phased basis over the next number of months.

None of the 37 houses in question are recorded on the vacancy or dereliction registers. As the Deputy will understand it would not be possible to provide information on the exact whereabouts of the houses due to their future use. The properties are located across 12 counties (Clare 1, Cork 5, Dublin 10, Kerry 1, Limerick 2, Louth 3, Mayo 4, Meath 2, Offaly 1, Tipperary 2, Waterford 1, Wexford 5).