Written answers

Tuesday, 23 July 2024

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Direct Provision System

Photo of Cian O'CallaghanCian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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1733.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of adults and children who have received their leave to remain but continue to reside in direct provision, and the number of the persons in this situation for one year or less, between one and two years, and more than two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30884/24]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Department is currently providing accommodation to over 31,000 people, of whom 5,323 had been granted permission to remain in Ireland as of the end of 10 July 2024 and, as such, are no longer in the International Protection process. At the same time, there is currently an ongoing shortfall of accommodation for newly arrived people applying for international protection.

Where a person progresses through the application and review process, and receives a grant of status or permission to remain in Ireland, their status in terms of access to housing becomes the same as other people living in Ireland and Irish citizens. In these circumstances however, the Department and the IPAS team is aware of the challenges in housing availability across the population and has continued to provide accommodation until residents are in a position to source accommodation independently.

All those with International Protection(IP)/Permission to Remain are written to once status has been granted and are advised that given their progress through the IP process, they will need to seek alternative accommodation. They are supported to register with a Local Authority and, if required, avail of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to secure alternative accommodation.

Given the change in legal status, IPAS works with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to support people in securing alternative accommodation. A specific Transition team works in collaboration with Depaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, and Local Authorities to support residents with status to move on from IPAS accommodation.

Where a person cannot secure independent accommodation by the defined date, IPAS will provide temporary, emergency accommodation. Acknowledging the ongoing increases in people arriving into Ireland seeking international protection, and the shortfall in accommodation for new arrivals, the Department will continue to work to support all those using our services.

Please see, in tabular format, the number of those who have received permission to remain and currently reside in IPAS accommodation as of 10 July 2024.

Length of time with status No. of People
0-1 year 2,615
1-2 years 1,386
2-3 years 1,079
3 years + 243
Total 5,323

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