Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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1370. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an IPAS in Newbridge was closed with only 24 hours’ notice to residents; the reason this was done; if the building will be repurposed or continue to function as an IPAS centre in future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11454/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Department has been working with Kildare County Council, Kildare Fire Services and the provider at the Eyre Powell IPAS accommodation centre over recent months, in efforts to provide a satisfactory solution to fire safety issues at the property. Fire safety certification for this and other facilities is the role of the local authority.

We were made aware in February of a fire safety notice issued by Kildare Fire Services on the provider for the property in question. This required immediate action. It meant the building may potentially have been unsafe at the original capacity and remedial works would be needed to resolve this.

It was agreed between Kildare Fire Service, IPAS and the provider that capacity at the centre would be reduced, and works would be undertaken. This meant that some residents could continue to reside at the property, with the knowledge and agreement of Kildare Fire Services. Other residents had to be relocated to other IPAS centres urgently, to meet the conditions of the fire safety concern.

While our teams worked through the urgent response to this issue, it was possible to prioritise families to remain in Eyre Powell accommodation centre, to ensure those with children in school would not have to move.

A clear timeline and plan for remedial works to be completed and certified has been provided by the contractor, and, subject to the works being certified as satisfactory by the Fire Officer, the centre will continue to function at the reduced capacity. A decision on the potential to increase capacity will be made when the works have been completed and certified as satisfactory.

Our residents’ overall safety and welfare will remain our priority.