Written answers
Tuesday, 9 April 2024
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
International Protection
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1078. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of places that have been provided in designated accommodation centres for the purposes of the temporary protection directive. [13895/24]
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1081. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether there were any persons residing in the designated accommodations centres prior to their designation; if they are going to remain there; and if not, where they will be accommodated subsequently. [13898/24]
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1082. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the duration that such designated accommodation centres are expected to serve a person, by location if the dates in question are different. [13899/24]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1078, 1081 and 1082 together.
Under the revised accommodation policy, those granted Temporary Protection from 14 March 2024 who seek accommodation from the State are offered a maximum of 90 days of State-supported accommodation in a Designated Accommodation Centre (DAC). It is expected that such Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) will transition to independence within the 90-day maximum stay. Information and supports are provided in DACs to assist in this transition.
The 90 day maximum applies to BOTPs who arrived on or after 14 March 2024, regardless of the DAC location to which they are allocated. The 90 days for each respective BOTP begin upon their allocation to a DAC.
The overall capacity available across the DAC portfolio is reviewed on an ongoing basis. My Department continually runs data modelling of arrival numbers, which allows us to plan for the DAC capacity required to service fluctuating arrival numbers and to maintain capacity in the centres based on the turnover within them as BOTPs source and transition to their own accommodation. Currently, there are over 3,000 bed spaces provided across 6 DACs. Information is available at gov - Designated Accommodation Centres - Current Availability (www.gov.ie).
It is forecast that the DAC capacity already in place will be sufficient in the weeks ahead to cope with current BOTP arrival numbers, as well as certain scenarios where numbers increase. This will remain under review, with further DAC capacity likely to be sourced from within the Department’s existing accommodation portfolio to replace and supplement existing capacity, for example, where contracts conclude.
A number of the DACS were previously used as short term emergency accommodation for BOTPs. All BOTPs who were accommodated in these centres were moved into alternative accommodation prior to the designation of the centres.
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1079. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it remains the policy of his Department that those in 'designated accommodation centres' for the purposes of the temporary protection directive and the Social Welfare Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024, shall only be newly arrived beneficiaries of the directive, and that no persons will be accommodated in these centres who arrived prior to the enactment of the Act. [13896/24]
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1080. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is any intention to open further designated accommodation centres; and how many places he intends to provide in this category of accommodation. [13897/24]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1079 and 1080 together.
The overall capacity for Designated Accommodation Centres (DACs) remains under review. My Department continually runs data modelling of arrival numbers, which allows us to plan for the DAC capacity required to service fluctuating arrival numbers and to maintain capacity in the centres based on the turnover within them as Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) source and transition to their own accommodation within their 90-day maximum stay.
It is forecast that the DAC capacity already in place will be sufficient in the weeks ahead to cope with current BOTP arrival numbers, as well as certain scenarios where numbers increase. This will remain under review, with further DAC capacity likely to be sourced from within the Department’s existing accommodation portfolio to replace and supplement existing capacity, for example, where contracts conclude.
I can also confirm to the Deputy that, with effect from the implementation date of 14 March 2024, accommodation in DACs is reserved for BOTPs who have sought State-supported accommodation under the new 90-day policy.
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