Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

474. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the plans his Department has for a facility (details supplied) [27594/25]

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

475. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria and processes being used to assess the suitability of a facility (details supplied) for use as an IPAS centre. [27595/25]

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

476. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the involvement of local community groups, residents, local politicians, and Mayo Deputies in relation to the suitability assessment for a facility (details supplied) [27596/25]

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

477. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to confirm the projected capacity of a facility (details supplied) to accommodate international protection applicants. [27597/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 474, 475, 476 and 477 together.

My Department's International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) is not examining the property mentioned for use as international protection accommodation.

In response to the Deputy's questions about the process followed in general, any property offered to the Department for use as international protection accommodation goes through a standard appraisal process.

A variety of factors are used to appraise an offer of a property, such as compliance with planning and building regulations, site suitability, the value for money it offers, and any works required to meet the required standards.

A significant proportion are not progressed to contract stage, mainly due to the fact that they would not comply with planning or other required standards.

Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to people seeking international protection 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 almost 33,000 people in over 320 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres around the country, over 9,000 of whom are children with their families.

When a decision is made to open a new centre following an appraisal, my Department's Community Engagement Team contacts local representatives and service providers with detailed information about the centre, and can be available to support the local area to prepare for new arrivals.

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

478. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if an impact assessment has been conducted to evaluate the effects of establishing an IPAS centre in the Ballina area of County Mayo; and if the findings will be published. [27598/25]

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

479. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline any agreements or contractual arrangements made with the developer for the redevelopment and operation of the property in the Ballina area of County Mayo as temporary accommodation for international protection applicants. [27599/25]

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

480. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which his Department is coordinating with Mayo County Council and other relevant authorities to ensure the property in the Ballina area of County Mayo meets all necessary standards and regulations for its proposed use. [27600/25]

Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context

481. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a timeline for the decision-making process, and if approved, the expected timeline for the opening of the IPAS centre in the Ballina area of County Mayo. [27601/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 478, 479, 480 and 481 together.

My Department's International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) is not currently examining any property for use as international protection accommodation in Ballina, County Mayo.