Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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590. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide the date on which the contract to provide accommodation for international applicants in a hotel (details supplied) was formally agreed and signed by his Department; if he will specify whether or not there is a break clause and/or a cooling-off period provided for in the contract/arrangement; if such a cooling off period exists in the contract/arrangement, if he will provide the specific information on the nature and extent and the notice period that applies to the contract and separately the date on which any cooling off period expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10584/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The D Hotel had been appraised by the Ukrainian Division but rejected on the basis that an alternative offering of accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection was under consideration. The provider was advised that any offers not taken up by the Ukraine Division should be considered for offering to International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) for the accommodation of International Protection (IP) applicants . Consequently the IPPS appraisal process was shorter than normal and the contract to provide accommodation for IP applicants at the D Hotel was signed on 13th February 2024.

International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) contracts for accommodation do not contain a 'cooling off period'. Contractual arrangements for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres are deemed confidential and commercially sensitive.

Divulging the details of contracts could prejudice the Department's negotiating position to deliver value for money with respect to other accommodation providers and locations, so further contractual information is not provided.

Ireland is currently accommodating over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes approximately 75,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 27,000 International Protection (IP) applicants currently in IPAS accommodation.

Department officials are working to bring more bed spaces into use. The Department is presently utilising a wide range of accommodation options to provide shelter to record numbers of IP applicants, over 200 accommodation locations utilised since January 2022 across 26 counties.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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591. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to address a shortfall of communication between CDNTs and families; if he is aware of dissatisfaction with the level of communication from the services to families in the south-east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10594/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 592, 593 and 594 together.

The D Hotel had been appraised by the Ukrainian Division but rejected on the basis that an alternative offering of accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection was under consideration. The provider was advised that any offers not taken up by the Ukraine Division should be considered for offering to International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) for the accommodation of International Protection (IP) applicants. Consequently the IPPS appraisal process was shorter than normal and the contract to provide accommodation for IP applicants at the D Hotel was signed on 13th February 2024.

International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) contracts for accommodation do not contain a "cooling off period".

Divulging the details of contracts could prejudice the Department's negotiating position to deliver value for money with respect to other accommodation providers and locations, so further contractual information is not provided.

My Department is currently accommodating over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes approximately 75,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 27,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.

Department officials are working to bring more bed spaces into use. The Department is presently utilising a wide range of accommodation options to provide shelter to record numbers of IP applicants, over 200 accommodation locations utilised since January 2022 across 26 counties.