Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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456. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the State is intending to cease to pay for accommodation at a hotel (details supplied); if the reported purchase of another hotel is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26859/25]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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457. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a hotel (details supplied) will return to use as hospitality accommodation if the State proceeds with the reported purchase of another hotel for international protection purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26860/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 456 and 457 together.

Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to international protection applicants is a requirement of Irish and EU law.

The State is currently accommodating almost 33,000 people who have applied for international protection in Ireland, over 9000 of whom are children with their families.

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides this accommodation in over 320 centres around the country.

With respect to contract renewals, the provision of accommodation for international protection applicants is demand-led, and each property and contract is considered on a case by case basis to decide if the contract will be renewed as it approaches its end date.

My Department has no plans to cease the contract at this site, and continues to provide international protection accommodation at this location.

Our current focus is on developing more State-owned international protection accommodation from a range of sources, building a sustainable system and reducing reliance on commercial providers over time.