John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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118. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the steps he is taking to address the accommodation crisis for asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55624/23]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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131. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans that are in place to provide accommodation for asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54572/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 131 and 134 together.

My Department is currently accommodating approximately 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes nearly 74,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and 26,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.

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).

Unfortunately, despite the tireless efforts of the Department, there is currently an accommodation shortfall, particularly with respect to adult males.

As all of the limited accommodation capacity within the IPAS system is currently being used, and given the significantly increased numbers of arrivals in the context of accommodation shortages, the Department has no option but to consider all offers of accommodation made to it to address the accommodation shortfall. Various issues beyond the control of the Department have resulted in offers not being progressed, and accommodation not contracted, swiftly enough to meet the demand.

Cabinet has now approved a proposal, in line with EU’s Reception Conditions Directive, for the provision of contingency supports for International Protection (IP) applicants who Ireland is not in a position to accommodate.

The EU Reception Conditions Directive outlines the necessary reception conditions for receiving IP applicants. In line with this Directive, in circumstances where the State temporarily runs out of accommodation, the State can exceptionally offer different reception conditions.

As part of these arrangements, the Government has agreed to a temporary increase in the Daily Expense Allowance for IP applicants who are not in receipt of an offer of accommodation. This increase is in line with payments made to IP applicants by other European Countries in circumstances where applicants are not in state supported accommodation.

In addition to this increase in the Daily Expense Allowance, a system of triage of adult males is being implemented to ensure that those who are most vulnerable are prioritised for the provision of accommodation.

Drop-in day services are provided to all non-accommodated persons who wish to avail of them. In such centres, IP applicants can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week. They also provide tents and sleeping bags, where required. Currently my Department has agreements with two charities to provide these services in Dublin.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Ireland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, as part of the Whole of Government response my Department has worked extensively to support over 101,700 people who have sought temporary protection in Ireland in fleeing the war in Ukraine, over 73,300 of whom have sought State supported accommodation.

Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, my Department has contracted in excess of 59,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in approximately 990 mainly commercial settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.?

My Department was in communication with HIQA in June of this year in relation to the matter of Garda Vetting in accommodation settings for BOTPs that are funded by my Department.

Garda Vetting of employees is a matter for employers in these commercial settings to manage in accordance with national law. My Department does not directly employ any staff in accommodation settings for Ukraine. It is incumbent on accommodation providers, under contract to my Department, to inform themselves of their legal obligations in this regard, and take all necessary and appropriate steps. Each contractor is responsible for their Child Safeguarding policy and for assessing whether they have an obligation under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to vet their staff.

My Department makes specific reference to legal, industry requirements and best practices in contracts agreed with providers, and it is incumbent on providers to adhere to them. Under their contracts, Service providers are obliged to adhere to good industry practice and comply with all applicable laws including but not limited to all obligations in the field of health and safety, environmental, social, child protection and labour law. It should be noted that the vast majority of children seeking shelter in Ireland remain in the care of the parents / guardians while in State secured and private accommodation. Any unaccompanied children are assisted by Tusla.