Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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733. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a full list of the number of beds available for accommodating both Ukrainian refugees and international protection applicants; the number of them that are occupied and empty at the most recent date at which this information is available. [7152/25]

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

International Protection Accommodation Service

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is providing accommodation to over 33,000 International Protection (IP) applicants, about 9,000 of whom are children. Over the last year, IPAS has been operating at or near capacity, with ongoing profound pressure on bed availability.

As such, IPAS works at all times to ensure accommodation capacity is utilised in the most effective manner possible.

I regret that the data requested by the Deputy is not collated in the manner specifically requested. IPAS releases weekly statistics in relation to IP applicants. This includes a per county breakdown of where IP applicants are residing, their numbers per county, and a wide range of other details. These statistics are located on the Gov.ie website: .

During 2023 and 2024, IPAS has had occupancy rates of 95% while at the same time having no usable beds available to accommodate all arriving international protection applicants.

In terms of vacancies, across the IPAS portfolio variances exist between maximum capacity and actual number International Protection (IP) applicants in residence. The largest part of this differential is due to room configurations, including differing family sizes often leaving unusable beds in allocated accommodation.

Contractual issues with service providers will also leave potential beds unused pending the resolution of issues and the need to upgrade and renovate rooms. A significant portion of bed capacity is further accounted for through the need for maintenance or deep cleaning of rooms following moves and, ring-fenced beds to facilitate the opening and closing of accommodation centres.

The variances between occupancy rates and maximum capacity are within expected norms given the wide variety of IPAS property portfolio, contractual obligations of the properties available and the demand lead nature of the service being delivered.

IPAS continues to maximise bed capacity with occupancy rates tracked and monitored on a weekly basis, based on register returns submitted by centre management. Centres also subject to desktop audits and onsite inspections to ensure accurate registers are kept.

Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection

As of 19 February 2025, there were 26,937 individuals fleeing the war in Ukraine reported as availing of DCEDIY-contracted temporary accommodation nationally.

Due to continuing downward trends in numbers seeking accommodation from the State, coupled with increases in those already accommodated leaving State provided accommodation to seek more independent living, vacancies continue to arise in the Ukraine portfolio of commercial accommodation. These vacancies are notified by providers on a weekly basis and the numbers change daily in response to moves in and out of accommodation.

Vacancies notified by a provider must be validated by my Department as suitable for use and matched to the particular needs of individuals and families. The total number of vacancies available for allocation changes daily as vacancies are both validated and allocated on a daily basis.

Providers are currently reporting approximately 6,900 vacancies across the entire commercial portfolio. While this number is not insignificant, beds can be unusable for a variety of reasons which can include unused beds in family rooms, single occupancy in double rooms, or rooms closed for maintenance. In other instances such as where a provider is nearing the end of their contract, or where an issue has been raised with my Department such that the provider’s offering is under review, vacancies notified by that accommodation provider will not be filled until these matters are resolved to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the individuals requiring accommodation.

A significant proportion of vacancies which are ultimately deemed to be usable are already committed for certain moves in the short term. Relocation moves are necessary where a provider has decided not to renew a contract for example, or where my Department must end a contract with a provider to ensure greater compliance or value for money. The number of uncommitted vacancies is therefore far lower than the number of available vacancies reported by providers.

My Department continues to use projection models to monitor serviced accommodation bed capacity, future demand, vacancies arising and relocations required due to contracts ending. Ongoing work to consolidate the Ukraine portfolio, including a project initiated in Q4 2024 to negotiate with providers to reduce contracted capacity, will continue with a view to reducing overall vacancy numbers while maintaining an appropriate contingency.

My Department publishes regular statistical reports on the accommodation of those fleeing the war in Ukraine. The reports present data by type of accommodation, age groups and by county and can be accessed here:

Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)
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734. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for her decision on whether to extend the accommodation recognition payment beyond 31 March 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7153/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) was introduced to recognise the generosity of people who have opened their homes to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) who arrived in Ireland after fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The ARP scheme is provided in Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection on my behalf. In line with extensions of the EU Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), the ARP scheme was initially extended to 31 March 2024 and then to 31 March 2025.

As the TPD is now extended to March 2026, consideration is being given to the extension of the ARP scheme. Resolutions must be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas before this Order is made.

A decision will be reached shortly in respect of the extension of the termination date of the ARP scheme.