Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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102. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason her Department proceeded to issue a contract and relocate IPAS residents into an IPAS centre (details supplied). [20810/25]

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

My Department is working with communities all over Ireland to source and provide accommodation for people applying for international protection and emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country.

This 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 State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people in over 320 international protection accommodation centres around the country.

Following the coming Transfer of Functions on 1 May 2025, this work will be continued by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.

Background

The accommodation centre at Dundrum House Hotel, Co Tipperary, has been providing accommodation under contract to my Department since 2022 for a peak capacity of over 270 people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Since the numbers of Ukraine residents reduced over the last year or more, the property has also been accommodating just over 50 international protection applicants for the past nine months.

Dundrum House Hotel ceased operation as a hotel a decade ago, in 2015. There is a golf course, wider grounds and a hospitality business on the site which have remained open the public and the community since that time, and remain open today while part of the site operates as an accommodation centre.

A new contract has commenced at this property, following a detailed appraisal process, and the centre will provide accommodation to up to 277 people in families seeking international protection in Ireland. This figure includes a number of people who are beneficiaries of temporary protection due to the war in Ukraine and who were already being accommodated at the property.

Appraisal and planning

Part of the appraisal process for a new contract includes review of the property’s services and compliance, in conjunction with the Local Authority where relevant. This includes confirmation through the Local Authority of planning matters, fire certification and other relevant issues.

In all instances where the Department enters into a contract with an accommodation provider, the onus is on the provider to ensure all activities at the property are within legal limits, including health and safety, and confirming the property has the correct and up to date fire, planning and building compliance in place.

Any ongoing matters relating to fire, building or planning regulations remain between the Local Authority and a provider, and the Department liaises with the Local Authority and ensures compliance with any relevant enforcement matters that may arise at an accommodation centre.

My Department understands that the Local Authority is in contact with the property in relation to planning matters, and as this is a large site with various distinct areas and uses, that these matters are largely unrelated to the areas of the site contracted to the Department.

My Department is also aware of ongoing court proceedings in relation to this property, and while these matters are before the courts, the Deputy will understand that it isn’t appropriate for me to comment.

However, I can assure the Deputy that should any action be required as a result of any court proceedings, or the Local Authority’s engagement at the property, these will be addressed by my officials as appropriate.

Longer-term strategy

My Department is working hard toward developing a more stable and sustainable accommodation system in this sector. Huge efforts are underway to source and bring into use suitable longer-term international protection accommodation facilities, in line with the Government’s Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy.

These include the use of State-owned land for emergency tented, prefabricated and modular units, conversion of commercial buildings, and targeted purchasing of turnkey properties.

They will also include the design and building of new Reception and Integration Centres and upgrading of IPAS Centres. This will be supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers.

The degree of control given to the State by the creation of core supply of State-owned accommodation, of both emergency and permanent options, will increase as supply is delivered, re-establishing strategic direction over the accommodation type, location and dispersal pattern.

This work will be progressed as part of the development of a new Migration and Integration Strategy and will shortly transfer from my Department to the Department of Justice, which move is to be completed in the coming days.

I trust this information clarifies the matter.