Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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135. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of contracts with private accommodation providers for IPAS that have been terminated between 1 January 2025 and 7 May 2025; the number of beds associated with those terminated contracts; the number of new contracts awarded in the same period; the number of beds associated with those new contracts; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24595/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The State is currently accommodating over 33,000 people in over 320 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country, about 9,400 of whom are children with their families.

As the Deputy will be aware, the system has responded to a sudden and sustained increase in applications over the last three years.

By way of illustration, in August 2021, the State was accommodating approximately 7,000 people, meaning that IPAS has had to increase capacity by almost 400% in that time.

At the moment, over 90% of all IPAS accommodation is provided commercially.

Increasing the proportion of the accommodation provided on State-owned sites, and the development of a sustainable accommodation system over the coming months and years is designed to reduce reliance on commercial providers over time.

This policy is set out in the 2024 Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy, and is a commitment in the 2025 Programme for Government.

In 2025, eight IPAS accommodation contracts have been terminated to date, accounting for approximately 140 bed spaces. I am informed that reasons for termination can vary but can include non-compliance with contractual terms or with regulatory requirements like building and fire regulations or planning matters.

In the same period, 12 new IPAS accommodation contracts have been agreed, accounting for capacity of up to 848 bed spaces.

While commissioning emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be necessary in the short to medium term, it is being contracted on a short-term basis, which enables the State to decommission this capacity with agility as contracts expire or demand fluctuates.

All offers of emergency accommodation are appraised by a dedicated team according to a range of factors. These include the site and its potential, value for money to the State, due diligence on the provider, and planning and regulatory matters. Consideration is also given to the location and locality, access to services and health, wellbeing and security factors.

The shift to more State-owned accommodation will align with wider reforms of the immigration system under the EU Migration Pact to be implemented by summer 2026.

More efficient processing of applications and shorter application and decision-making timelines will mean that the need for consistent growth in the accommodation sector that has been seen in recent years can be curtailed.

The reforms being progressed should also serve to support the protection of applicants' rights through the process and avoid the need for very prolonged stays in temporary accommodation centres.

IPAS Accommodation Contracts Jan - April 2025