Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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364. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons at present being provided with accommodation by IPAS that have been granted or refused international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37493/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) releases weekly statistics in relation to people seeking international protection (IP), including a per-county breakdown of where IP applicants are residing. These statistics are located on the gov.ie website:

Currently, there are over 32,000 people accommodated across IPAS. As of 31 August, 5,234 of those accommodated by IPAS have been granted Status or Permission to Remain, and since the beginning of 2024 almost 3,600 people with status have left IPAS accommodation and progressed into the community.

IPAS has a specific Transition team who work in collaboration with Depaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Local Authorities to support residents with status to exit IPAS accommodation and access other housing options. Those with status have the same housing entitlements as Irish Citizens and are supported to register with a Local Authority and, if required, to avail of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to secure alternative accommodation. In addition, those with status have the same social welfare entitlements as Irish Citizens.

With respect those whose application has been refused, the Department of Justice advises IPAS after an application for international protection has been determined. When an applicant is not successful in gaining leave to remain or status and a Deportation Order has been signed, the Department of Justice advises IPAS. This is to allow the transition of the unsuccessful applicant from IPAS accommodation, if they have not already exited of their own volition. The information received by my Department is specifically in respect of those who have received a Deportation Order. Information on those who have had their application refused, but have not yet received a Deportation Order is not available to my Department officials.

Information on the number of applicants in IPAS accommodation with a pending Deportation Order is a matter for the Department of Justice.

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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365. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is making contingency plans to provide accommodation and other supports for a wave of refugees coming to Europe and Ireland from Sudan due to the war, famine and humanitarian crisis unfolding there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37501/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The State has a legal obligation to assess the claims of those who seek International Protection (IP), and in that time, to provide accommodation and supports in line with the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (transposed under SI 230 of 2018, or the "Reception Conditions Regulations"), regardless of their country of origin.

Any potential arrivals from Sudan will be treated in the same way as arrivals from any other country claiming international protection, unless a decision is made by the EU, like that made for arrivals from Ukraine, to invoke a temporary directive. Ireland’s response to any such directive would be a matter for Government to determine.

Currently, there are over 32,000 people accommodated in the IPAS system. In response, The Department has increased International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) capacity by more than 400% since 2020, from just under 7,000 people on 31 December 2020.

The shortage of suitable accommodation to offer to people who are seeking international protection is a huge challenge for the Department.

The Department is working with communities all over Ireland to source and provide accommodation for people applying for international protection. This is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country.

On 27 March 2024, I announced a new Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for people seeking international protection in Ireland. Accommodation in the new strategy will be delivered through the use of State land for prefabricated and modular units, conversion of commercial buildings, and targeted purchasing of turnkey properties. It will also involve design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres and upgrading of IPAS Centres. This will be supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers.