Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1739.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total amount paid to each accommodation provider within the IPAS system from January 2021 to end-2023 and to date in 2024, by year, in tabular form; the details of the contract with each provider; how the tendering process is managed; the number of the accommodation providers that use the ‘cuckoo fund’ or ‘vulture fund’ corporate structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31007/24]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1740.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on cuckoo funds and vulture fund corporate entities being paid substantial amounts of public funds from his Department to provide accommodation within the IPAS system; if this use of public funds in housing asylum seekers demands greater oversight and ethical consideration, given that these entities are benefiting from public funds but do not contribute fairly to the tax system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31008/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1739 and 1740 together.

Contractual arrangements between the Department and external providers are considered commercially sensitive. In order to preserve the the Department's negotiating position, the costs paid to providers are not published, as making this data available to other accommodation providers would not serve the public interest.

The Public Sector Reform Plan requires that government departments and agencies publish online reports detailing Purchase Orders (PO) relating to payments for goods, services or works procured to a value greater than €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/)

The Department does not provide a further breakdown of these payments at this time.

Initial offers of accommodation are received by the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) primarily through its e-mail portal - ipps@equality.gov.ie.

In meeting its obligation to provide material reception conditions to those seeking IP, the Department considers offers from any tax-compliant company, subject to compliance with statutory requirements and minimum standards. The Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted including checks via the Companies Registration Office to ensure compliance with Companies Registration Office (CRO) requirements and tax compliance checks by way of a valid Tax Clearance Certificate.

Once an offer 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 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 returned, IPPS reviews the proposal and any supporting documentation to assess the suitability of the premises that is offered for use as accommodation for people seeking international protection (IP) before contracts are issued, and properties are also subject to pre-occupancy inspections to ensure they are adhering to the requisite standards.

Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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1741.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date when a facility (details supplied) will commence operations as an IPAS accommodation centre; his views on the location and commencement of operations dates of other publicly owned sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31027/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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A Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for International Protection applicants was approved by Government on 27 March 2024. The strategy seeks to address the current accommodation shortfall, while reforming the system over the longer term to ensure the State can meet its international commitments.

Accommodation in the new strategy is being delivered through the following multi-strand approach: use of State land for prefabricated and modular unit; conversion of commercial buildings; targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties; design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres; and upgrading of IPAS Centres.

Work to deliver the strategy is progressing. An Expression of Interest (EOI) process was launched on the 30^thApril 2024 by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for the sourcing of suitable properties for acquisition or lease as International Protection accommodation. Work to assess the submission received to date is underway.

The delivery of tented and modular accommodation solutions on state owned sites is also progressing.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is working with the Irish Prison Service on a handover regarding services at Thornton Hall.

The Department is engaging with our partners to complete relevant assessments. While it was hoped that we would be in a position to begin providing emergency accommodation to people seeking international protection at the site in June, ongoing protests at the site are hampering progress.

Work is underway to deliver accommodation on the Thornton Hall site to a new timetable and the department is engaging with relevant stakeholders to ensure that will happen. Details of the new timetable will be released when it is agreed.