Written answers
Tuesday, 12 December 2023
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
International Protection
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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676. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what measures are being proposed to remove the significant administrative delays with respect to available sites and premises that are ready to provide IPAS accommodation but are waiting for final fire officer sign offs and so on; if private fire safety specialist firms can be contracted to sign off such sites in order to reduce the back log and pressure on local fire officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54703/23]
Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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677. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will seek confirmation from IPAS, the total number of beds nationwide that have been offered to IPAS as ready with certification by a competent person in place, but have yet to be taken up by persons seeking international protection and are awaiting a further inspection and sign off by the fire officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54704/23]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 676 and 677 together.
Department officials are working intensively to bring more bed spaces into use, and since January 2022 have brought over 10,000 bed spaces into use to accommodate those who arrive in Ireland seeking International Protection (IP).
With all new properties contracted by the Department to provide accommodation for IP applicants, the provider is required to provide detailed information, including a certificate of compliance by a competent expert, in relation to adherence to relevant regulations and suitability for use, including valid fire certification. The Department carefully appraises each property before contracts are issued and properties are also subject to pre-occupancy inspections.
The Local Authority have a regulatory role in relation to properties being brought on stream to verify that they meet the required building, planning and fire safety regulations. Once all documentation is received, the Department continues to engage with the appropriate fire certification authorities to ensure fire certification is up to date and once evidence of sign-off is received from the relevant authorities and provided to the Department, a contract is signed for the use of the property. The timeline on delivery of appropriate certification is a matter entirely for the relevant authorities.
There are currently 7 properties with a capacity of 503 beds that have been offered as 'ready for use' and certified by a competent person, which require sign-off by the relevant fire authorities.
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