Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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159. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is planning to locate asylum seekers in Coole, County Westmeath, and in Castlepollard, County Westmeath; if so, how many; their country of origin; their gender and age bracket; if he or his Department have engaged in any consultation whatsoever with the communities; and what funding will be provided for community resources in each case. [46791/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Coole Court was successful in a recent public Request for Tender (RFT) process for accommodation for international protection applicants (IPAs).

The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) are currently contracting with successful tenderers from the panel and once these 2-year contracts execute, the contractors will undertake the identified mobilisation works to deliver their accommodation and services to the National Standards. The accommodation will then be brought into use for approximately 98 people, living as family units. Nationality, gender and age breakdown of those to be accommodated is not information my Department provides.

A Community Engagement Team (CET) has been set up to engage directly with elected representatives, relevant Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, and other stakeholders where relevant and appropriate. The purpose of the team is to improve the flow of information regarding arrivals into areas and to help equip local communities with pertinent information required to help with the welcome and integration process for new arrivals.

IPPS is not currently considering an offer of accommodation in Castlepollard. Should there be an offer, IPPS will respond in due course.