Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1491.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is aware of the negative impacts caused by the practice of serving eviction notices to those living in IPAS accommodation (details supplied) and if he will extend the current exemption in place for those over the age of 65 or with significant medical or welfare needs to parents and their children who are not transferred to the emergency accommodation.[35386/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Department does not comment on individual cases nor the transfer of individuals within the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) portfolio due to the requirement to maintain the security and right to privacy of international protection (IP) applicants.

IPAS is always available to deal with any complaints from residents and residents are encouraged to engage with accommodation centre management if they are unhappy with any aspect of their accommodation. The IPAS Customer Service Team Helpdesk can be contacted by email: ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie

In the event of a resident not feeling comfortable with contacting the Department directly or the centre management, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) operates a confidential support helpline for all residents accommodated by IPAS. If a resident wishes, a complaint made through this service may be passed, in confidence, to IPAS for investigation and resolution. All residents have access to this independent support helpline at 1800 929 00 or email: info@jrs.ie. All International Protection applicants also have access to the services of the Ombudsman and Ombudsman for Children, should they consider that their complaint has not been managed appropriately.

The Department is currently providing accommodation to nearly 32,000 people, of whom over 5,000 have been granted permission to remain in Ireland. 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 the Department and the IPAS have continued to provide accommodation until residents are in a position to source accommodation independently.

All those with international protection/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.

In 2024, as of the end of July, almost 3,200 people with status have left IPAS accommodation and progressed into the community.

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.

This policy is in place to help ensure accommodation in non-emergency settings is available to newly arrived persons seeking international protection.