Written answers
Tuesday, 22 October 2024
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Departmental Properties
Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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651. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacant properties owned by his Department; and the number of which are houses or residential properties. [43138/24]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In March 2024 Government approved a new Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for International Protection applicants. The strategy seeks to address the current accommodation shortfall, while reforming the system over the longer term to ensure the State will always 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
In terms of new accommodation numbers the table below details the proposed various accommodation types, capacity and ownership.
| Accommodation Type | Bed Capacity | Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| Reception and Integration Centres and Accommodation Centres, at or above national standards | Up to 13,000 | State Owned |
| In-Community Accommodation for vulnerable persons, at or above national standards | Up to 1,000 | State Owned, operated in partnership with NGOs. |
| Contingency Accommodation, at national standards | Up to 11,000 | Commercial Providers |
| Emergency Accommodation | Up to 10,000 | Commercial Providers |
In order to deliver on the In-Community Accommodation for Vulnerable persons the department has purchased 37 properties to date. Two larger properties (10 beds or more) and 33 residential properties (2,3,4 bed houses and apartments). Approved Housing bodies have been commissioned to operationalise the properties with plans for them to come on stream over the coming weeks and months.
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