Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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531. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide data on a series of issues (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21768/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The data requested by the Deputy is not available.

The Department does not rent accommodation, but enters into a contract to provide accommodation related services for International Protection (IP) applicants. Payment information is not collated by accommodation type in the manner outlined by the Deputy.

In relation to service providers contracted by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) to provide accommodation services to International Protection (IP) applicants, the Department publishes reports on all payments over €20,000.These are published, once per quarter, on gov.ie

(www.gov.ie/en/collection/dfdadb-department-of-children-and-youth-affairs-purchase-orders-for-20000-o/)

Offers for the provision of accommodation services for international protection applicants can be submitted through a central offers portal at IPPS@equality.gov.ie

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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532. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any international protection applicants have been referred to the National Infectious Disease Isolation Facility in Portrane for treatment of scabies who are unable to isolate in their own environment to contain spread to others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21780/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Resident Welfare Team within the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) addresses cases or outbreaks of Infectious Diseases within IPAS Centres in accordance with the IPAS Infectious Disease Protocol (Public Health). This question seeks information regarding any International Protection applicants that have been referred to the National Isolation Facility for treatment of scabies, rather than those living in IPAS accommodation who required referral.

IPAS are of the understanding that persons may have been referred to the National Isolation Facility from a group who were occupying tents outside the International Protection Office (IPO). As IPAS cannot confirm this, or indeed the exact numbers, this question has been referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for response.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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533. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 427 of 8 May 2024; of that number in IPAS provided accommodation at the end of March 2024, how many were in the international protection system awaiting either a decision on their international protection application or their application for leave to remain; how many had been granted status, either international protection or leave to remain; how many had received a deportation order; how many were persons in respect of whom the IPAS has been informed that they have been refused international protection and leave to remain but had not received a deportation order; how many do not fall within any of the forementioned categories; and if he will outline the basis upon which the latter group are provided accommodation by IPAS. [21825/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As at 31 March 2024, there were 28,478 individuals resident in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation. 5,762 persons with status were remaining in IPAS accommodation.

IPAS releases weekly statistics in relation to International Protection (IP) applicants, including a per-county breakdown of where IP applicants are residing. These statistics are located on the gov.ie website:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/07027-ipas-statistics/

As previously stated, the Department of Justice advises the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) after an application for International Protection has been determined. When an applicant is not successful in gaining leave to remain or status and a Deportation Order has been signed, the Department of Justice so advises IPAS. This is to allow the transition of the unsuccessful applicant from IPAS accommodation, if they have not already exited of their own volition. Information on the number of applicants in IPAS accommodation with a pending Deportation Order is a matter for the Department of Justice.

The Deputy has sought information on those who have not received a Deportation Order. The information received by the Department is specifically in respect of those who have received a Deportation Order. It is not possible for my officials to produce this information, which as explained, is not available to them.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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534. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 445 and 446 of 8 May 2024, the estimated breakdown of the 13,000 State-owned beds targeted by 2028 that would be specifically dedicated to reception and integration centres available to IP applicants for at least six months and accommodation centres available to IP applicants after six months until they exit the protection process, in tabular form. [21848/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As detailed in the responses to Parliamentary Question Nos. 445 and 446 of 8 May 2024, accommodation, in accordance with the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy, will be delivered through a blended approach of purchasing, turnkey deliverable and delivery on State owned sites. The breakdown of dedicated state owned Reception and Integration and Accommodation Centres will be dependent on the opportunities that arise from the multi-strand approach. Progress made on the CAS includes the launching on the 30th April of an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the purchase or leasing of turnkey properties. The EOI requires properties submitted for consideration to be able to accommodate a minimum of 150 individuals.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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535. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated total capital cost of delivering the targeted 13,000 State-owned IPAS units under the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy; the breakdown of the estimated capital cost per unit and per centre for those under reception and integration centres and accommodation centres, in tabular form. [21849/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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On the 27th March 2024 Government agreed a new Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for International Protection applicants. The strategy seeks to address the current accommodation shortfall, while reforming the system over the longer term to ensure the State will always be able to meet its international commitments.

Accommodation in the new strategy will be delivered through the following multi-strand approach:1. Use of State land for prefabricated and modular units2. Conversion of commercial buildings3. Targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties4. Design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres5. Upgrading of IPAS Centres

The table below details the composition of accommodation from 2028 onwards

As detailed in the strategy, accommodation will be delivered through a blended approach of purchasing, turnkey deliverable and delivery on State owned sites. The breakdown of dedicated state owned Reception and Integration and Accommodation Centres will be dependent on the opportunities that arise from the multi-strand approach.

The department is in the early stages of planning its approach for the delivery of the increased state owned accommodation capacity. As part of the process an economic assessment is underway which will provide more detailed information on the full costings for the programme.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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536. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of State-owned modular units for accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection that are currently in development; and the stage of development of each project and the estimated average cost per project and per unit, in tabular form. [21850/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As part of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis, the Government has developed a Rapid Build Housing Programme to provide accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine who request it. The programme aims to provide short-term accommodation for up to 2,800 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at several sites across Ireland. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is leading the development of this accommodation in conjunction with my Department.

The programme is being progressed under the emergency derogations from planning that were provided for by Government under S.I. No. 306 of 2022 – European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations, 2022.

There were a number of issues that have arisen over the past few months relating to site conditions, remedial works, boundaries, ESB connections, etc. This has delayed earlier forecasted dates of completion and also has led my Department to make a decision to not fully complete the programme.

To date, 310 Units have been completed and now provide accommodation for 1240 BOTPs in 7 locations.

A breakdown of the locations that are currently in development and the stage of development of each project is provided in tabular format below.

A further HSE site in Haywood, Clonmel has been identified as viable by OPW to accommodate 82 units. It is expected that works will commence mid May 2024.

The cost of each unit in all locations is approximately €145,000 per unit inclusive of supply, delivery and provision of loose electrical and household items. This is separate to the site development and utility connection costs relating to the overall development. As the project is still ongoing and further sites are under consideration, it is not possible to fully specify a final overall programme figure.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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537. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of commercially owned modular units for accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection that are currently in development; and the stage of development of each project and the estimated average cost per project and per unit, in tabular form. [21851/24]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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539. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average completion deadline for commercially-owned modular units dedicated to accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection; the average completion timelines for units procured in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the breakdown of the average completion timelines of units procured by county, in tabular form. [21853/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 537 and 539 together.

The information is not available in the manner requested by the Deputy.

My Department launched an online portal for developer-led modular accommodation on gov.ie where providers could submit expressions of interest (EOIs) in November 2023. The portal sought offers for developments with a capacity of up to 200 BOTPs, encompassing the site, units and all management services associated with them. My Department has currently paused accepting new Expressions of Interest for modular residential developments to accommodate Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs).

Modular accommodation may potentially provide a further sustainable medium-term solution to assist in meeting overall accommodation requirements, allowing Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to integrate into communities and possibly setting the stage for future housing development at sites. This programme will help establish the feasibility of the approach from a cost perspective and the capacity of the private sector to deliver appropriate solutions.

My Department is in the process of assessing the 129 EOIs received. It is my Department’s intention to draft a shortlist of EOIs that demonstrate a basis for further investigation, out of which proof of concept projects will be further discussed with Local Authorities. The proof of concept modular developments can be used to decant tourism accommodation beds in certain areas. It is still too early in the engagement and assessment process to determine timelines and delivery volumes.

Currently, there are no commercially owned modular developments under development as part of this programme.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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538. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average completion deadline for State-owned modular units dedicated to accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection; the providing a breakdown of the average completion timelines for units procured in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the breakdown of the average completion timelines of units procured by county, in tabular form. [21852/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Modular proof of concept sites

Columb Barracks, in Mullingar, County Westmeath, was selected by Government in 2023 as 1 of 5 ‘proof of concept sites’ in order to examine the potential of rapid build ‘pod’ style accommodation.

My Department has been working as part of the Accommodation Working Group under the auspices of the Department of the Taoiseach to advance the requirements needed in order to place the ‘pods’ on this site in a timely fashion. Works commenced on this site in April 2023.

The first 49 pods have been filled by Ukrainian families. The first 20 units were occupied in December 2023 with a further 29 families being accommodated during February 2024. The remaining units are expected to be ready and occupied in May 2024, including 3 wheelchair accessible units, bringing the site to full occupancy with 62 families.

As the site is still being finalised, it is not possible to provide the information in the manner requested by the Deputy.

Rapid Build sites

As part of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis, the Government has developed a Rapid Build Housing Programme to provide accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine who request it. The programme aims to provide short-term accommodation for up to 2,800 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at several sites across Ireland. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is leading the development of this accommodation in conjunction with my Department.

The programme is being progressed under the emergency derogations from planning that were provided for by Government under S.I. No. 306 of 2022 – European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations, 2022.

The completion timelines are subject to any technical issues arising during construction. There were a number of issues that arose relating to site conditions, remedial works, boundaries, ESB connections. This delayed earlier forecasted dates of completion on sites included in the programme.

My Department does not collate the information in the manner requested by the Deputy in relation to the average completion deadline for State-owned modular units and the average completion timelines for units procured in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024. Below set out in tabular form, is a breakdown of the completion dates by phases and by county.

Breakdown by phases

Phase 1 average completion time: 244.8 days

Phase 2 average completion time: 246.5 days

Phase 3 average completion time based on target completion dates: 373 days

Phase 4 average completion time based on target completion dates: N/A as start date has not commenced for all sites

Breakdown by county

An average completion timelines of units procured by county is provided below, where applicable.

Cork

Co. Cork average estimated average completion time: 300 days

Sligo

Co. Sligo completion time: 219 days

Mayo

Co. Mayo completion time: 233 days

Tipperary

Co Tipperary average completion time: N/A as start date has not commenced for all sites

Cavan

Co Cavan completion time: 288 days

Laois

Co Laois completion time: 254 days

Offaly

Co. Offaly completion time: 239 days

Dublin

Co Dublin estimated completion time: 364 days

Galway

Co Galway estimated completion time: 339 days