Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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1925.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the criteria applied by his Department when selecting possible locations for the placement of international protection applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection in any given area; and what consideration is given to the level of availability of essential services such as medical, dental, education and transport services at the locations being considered prior to the Department approving their use. [33314/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Ireland is currently providing accommodation to approximately 47,800 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine in State supported accommodation and over 31,300 International Protection applicants in IPAS accommodation. Prior to the war in Ukraine, there were 8,300 applicants for international protection in State supported accommodation.

My Department is not presently contracting additional accommodation for BOTPs from new or existing provider. This situation will be kept under review.

When the portal for offers of commercial accommodation for BOTPs was open, providers were asked to self-assess the validity of their accommodation offer against my Department’s criteria. These guidelines are available at:

As part of Government policy, a move to a more sustainable accommodation strategy is underway. In recent months we have seen decreases in arrivals from Ukraine to Ireland who are requesting accommodation from the state and we are now seeing greater numbers of Ukrainians who choose to move on from state accommodation. As a result, my Department is currently consolidating its accommodation portfolio to ensure greater compliance with standards and better value for money.

The International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) are continuing to receive and assess offers of accommodation for persons seeking international protection. If a person wishes to submit a commercial offer of a property which is ready for occupancy for potential use by persons seeking international protection, they should submit their offers to:

International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS); Email:

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the whole-of-Government response has been coordinated by a Cabinet Committee chaired by the Taoiseach. Due to the impact of the dramatic increase in applicants, matters relating to international protection are also addressed at that Committee.

The Cabinet Committee is supported by a Senior Officials Group (SOG) under the leadership of the Department of the Taoiseach. This group meets on a regular basis and issues arising are followed up by the relevant departmental officials as required. For example, the HSE is provided with information regarding new accommodation centres coming on stream and the numbers of BOTPs and IPs in State provided accommodation across Ireland. These meetings enable officials in the relevant Department and Agencies to provide any additional supports for communities, if required.

My Department’s Community Engagement Team liaises directly with elected representatives, relevant Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, and other entities and individuals. The CET informs all relevant State support services of the opening of accommodation centres for both BOTPs and IPs, who then prepare any additional supports needed to assist residents to settle in to the local community.

The whole-of-Government Ukraine response is also being supported by the Community Integration Fora (CIF) in each Local Authority, which are funded by my Department. Through the CIF, BOTPs receive information and support in many areas including healthcare, education and transport.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1926.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has been in consultation with the owners of a site (details supplied) in regard to using this building for IPAS accommodation. [33334/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1927.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the grounds and buildings at a site (details supplied) are being considered for IPAS applicants; and if so, the projected date for IPAS applicants to be housed at this location. [33336/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Ireland continues to experience an acute shortage of accommodation for people seeking international protection.

The Government is committed to supporting people seeking international protection in Ireland and is considering all offers of accommodation, and availing of every possible vacancy within the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system.

Heatherfield Hospital is still under the ownership of the HSE. However, a HSE review of the property was undertaken which determined that the site is surplus to the HSE’s requirements. In line with the HSE Property Protocol and The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPER) Circular 11/2015, the HSE offered the property to all State Stakeholders through the Intra-State Property Register.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) expressed an interest in the site in order to facilitate the provision of suitable accommodation to people seeking international protection.

DCEDIY now holds a caretaker agreement on the property until the transfer of assets process is completed. The only activity on the site at the moment is a security presence, which is necessary to protect the site. DCEDIY will assess the potential uses for the site.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1928.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any of the 30 large buildings the Government has identified for accommodation use for asylum seekers are located in County Tipperary; their locations within the State; and the status of their occupation plan. [33461/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In March, the Government launched a Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy, to provide a core of State-owned International Protection accommodation and bring stability into the system.

As part of that, an Expression of Interest (EOI) process seeking buildings for purchase or lease was launched at the end of May 2024. This would be for institutional buildings and converted commercial spaces. An initial assessment of the submissions received to date suggests around half of the submissions received may be viable.

The EOI seeks to deliver International Protection Accommodation which will: help to tackle the current accommodation shortage; begin to reform the system in a way that is fair, sustainable, and efficient into the long term; and start to move away from full reliance on private providers and towards a core of State-owned accommodation.

It is important to note that there are a number of phases to complete prior to a building being used. These include an assessment of compliance with standards, planning, suitability of location, and contractual negotiations.

Properties with certain current uses such as social housing, use by other government entities, student accommodation and nursing homes will not be considered for use.

Should a building progress to a point where it may be used, the Department's Community Engagement Team will contact local public representatives and statutory agencies.