Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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348. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to utilise approved housing bodies in the context of emergency accommodation provision for persons in the international protection system. [22636/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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International Protection applicants are accommodated in over 320 IPAS Accommodation Centres nationwide, which consist of a mix of State-owned centres, long-term centres and emergency international protection accommodation centres.

Approved housing bodies are not used for the provision of emergency international protection accommodation.

Due to the significant shortages of available accommodation and increased demand over recent years, the Department's International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) has contracted a significant amount of commercially provided accommodation of various configurations.

Emergency accommodation is provided to people applying for international protection in a variety of settings, including former guesthouses, apartments, hostels, and hotels. In sourcing this accommodation, the Department endeavours to minimise any impact on the rental or housing market.

The 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 Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS).

These include the increased 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.