Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1845.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress being made to move away from privately-owned accommodation provision for international protection applicants to State-run reception centres; if he will detail specific timelines for any planned projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32359/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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On 27 March 2024, Government agreed a new Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for International Protection (IP) applicants. This strategy seeks to address the current accommodation shortfall, while reforming the system in the longer term, to ensure the State will 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 units.
2. Conversion of commercial buildings.
3. Targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties.
4. Design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres.
5. Upgrading of IPAS Centres.

Work to deliver the strategy is progressing. An Expression of Interest (EOI) process was launched on 30April 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, including on the Thornton Hall site. However, efforts to deliver this much needed accommodation is being hampered by ongoing protests.