Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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909. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there will be continuity of staffing for teams dealing with international protection and Ukraine accommodation since transfer from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. [24460/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government included a number of commitments that are being progressed and will lead to changes in the structure and responsibilities of my Department.

On 1 May 2025, divisions with responsibility for International Protection and Integration, and for Ukraine, transferred to my Department from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).

As part of this transfer, my Department welcomed in the region of 330 staff from DCEDIY.

The International Protection and Integration Division includes responsibility for the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS). IPAS is currently accommodating approximately 33,000 people in over 320 accommodation centres nationwide, over 9000 of whom are children with their families.

The Ukraine Division support a range of services, including direct accommodation for over 24,000 people, and support for more than 30,000 further people through the Accommodation Recognition Programme.

Both divisions are now operating within my Department, with continuity on transfer for both staff and services.

As the Department of Justice has existing responsibility for immigration and migration and the processing of applications for international protection, this transfer will underpin a more cohesive and strategic approach to migration and integration overall.