Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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598. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way a person (details supplied), who owes large amounts to the Revenue Commissioners was able enter into a contract with his Department to provide IPAS accommodation; the due diligence that was carried out to ensure this company had tax clearance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9054/25]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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599. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way a company (details supplied) who’s director has listed their address as an approved IPAS accommodation centre has entered into a contract with his Department to provide IPAS accommodation; if it is appropriate for a person living in IPAS accommodation to be entering into contracts with his Department for the provision of IPAS accommodation; if an IPAS recipient has a right to be a company director earning millions from this Department; if this company director is still living in IPAS accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9055/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 598 and 599 together.

Huge efforts are underway, within this Department and as part of a whole-of-Government response, to source and bring into use suitable facilities to provide shelter and safety to international protection applicants.

Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to applicants 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.

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is currently accommodating over 33,000 people in international protection accommodation, about 9,000 of whom are children with their families.

In meeting our obligation to provide material reception conditions to people seeking international protection, the Department can consider offers of accommodation from a tax-compliant company, subject to compliance with statutory requirements and minimum standards.

The Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted, including checks via the Companies Registration Office to ensure the company's compliance with Companies Registration Office (CRO) requirements and tax compliance checks by way of a valid Tax Clearance Certificate. We do not have the legal right to investigate the circumstances of individuals connected to the company. These matters are the responsibility of the Revenue Commissioners and the CRO.

In all instances where the Department enters into a contract with an accommodation provider, the onus is on the provider to ensure all activities are within legal limits. Furthermore, all statutory requirements relating to the establishment and management of accommodation are met by the service provider, including health and safety, fire, building regulations and other requirements.

Contractual terms govern the standards that are expected and terminations take place when these standards are not met.

The Department will assist with any investigation into any issues which arise with respect to individuals connected to companies contracted to provide accommodation that are being investigated by a regulatory body or authority, such as An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners or The Office of Corporate Enforcement.

The information supplied by the Deputy in respect of the named person residing at the listed premises has been examined by IPAS, and I can confirm there is no record of this person residing at this address.

I hope this information is helpful.