Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Department officials are working intensively to bring more bed spaces into use, and since January 2023 have brought over 13,000 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.

The information requested in relation to properties which are currently offered as 'ready for use' and certified by a competent person, which require sign-off by the relevant fire authorities is not collated in the manner requested.