Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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1124. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide the number of offers of accommodation received by the International Protection Procurement Service primarily through its e-mail portal; the number of such offers that were subsequently assessed as suitable premises to accommodate IP applicants; the number of such offers that were deemed unsuitable and rejected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14490/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Department does not collate the information in the manner requested.

Ireland is currently accommodating more than 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes circa 28,500 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.

Department officials are working tirelessly to bring more bed spaces into use, and since January 2022 have brought over 200 properties into use to accommodate those who arrive in Ireland seeking international protection (IP). This brings the total number of IPAS centres to 280.

Once an offer of accommodation is received, IPPS sends a proposal template to the prospective provider that they are required to complete and return. The proposal template seeks to gather as much information as is reasonably practicable to facilitate an objective assessment of the suitability of the premises to accommodate international protection (IP) applicants. This includes information on the building's safety and fitness for occupancy, its catering provision and room sizes, its recreational and lounge facilities and various other criteria such as Wi-Fi, security provision and staffing

When an offer is received and assessed, the onus is on the provider to ensure that the property is of an adequate standard and that the provider will provide the services in accordance with 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 that apply at the place where the services are provided.

Offers can be rejected at various stages of the appraisal process and do not necessarily progress to the appraisal stage following on from initial receipt of offer for a variety of reasons.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The International Protection Integration Fund was open from 7th February to 6th March of this year. A press release announced the launch of the funding call. A total of 245 applications were received requesting over €10m in grant funding, demonstrating that the fund was widely publicised. The fund was launched at an earlier date than last year due to the pressing needs of community organisations working with International Protection Applicants.

As with all integration themed funding calls run by my Department the fund was publicised via official press release, the department’s website and social media accounts.

The deadline for application has passed. However there will be more integration themed funding calls announced in the coming months.