Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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660. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to report on emergency accommodation for IPAS applicants at Kilbride Army Camp, County Wicklow, in light of residents reporting overcrowding, a lack of hot water and very poor sanitary conditions; if she can report on who is responsible for the provision of services at the site; the oversight her Department has of the site; if she will commit to having the site inspected and deficiencies in basic needs remedied in the short-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6124/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Thank you for your question, Deputy.

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is always available to deal with any complaints from residents and residents are encouraged to engage with IPAS if they are unhappy with any aspect of their accommodation.

The IPAS Centre Management Team has been actively engaging with the management of Kilbride Army Camp and the Defence Forces in relation to the issues raised at resident clinics, as well as the overall level of service and accommodation being provided to our residents in Kilbride.

IPAS can confirm that all maintenance issues reported to management of Kilbride Army Camp are dealt with as quickly as possible, and that the site is cleaned multiple times a day by professional cleaning staff via a rota system.

IPAS can confirm that Kilbride Army Camp has capacity for 124 residents and that the site is within this capacity limit.

The IPAS Customer Services Team conducts regular resident clinics at the centre, the most recent clinic was held onsite on the 6th of February 2025.

Where a complaint is significant in nature or a resident is not comfortable raising a complaint with a centre manager, they may make the complaint directly, or through a representative authorised to act on their behalf, to the IPAS Customer Service Team.

In the event of a resident not feeling comfortable with contacting the Department directly or the centre management, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) operate a confidential support Freephone helpline 1800 929 00 or email: info@jrs.ie

All International Protection Applicants have access to the services of the Ombudsman and Office of the Ombudsman for Children, should they consider that their complaint has not been managed appropriately.

IPAS will continue to follow up on the needs of residents and work with centre management to ensure oversight of services provided at the site.

I trust the above is helpful.