Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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483. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has received an offer to build an International Protection Accommodation Services at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27658/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) is not currently examining this property for use as international protection accommodation.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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484. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department is considering purchasing private properties to facilitate International Protection Accommodation Services applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27659/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the Programme for Government 2025, and the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for International Protection approved in 2024, the State is working the develop more State-owned international protection accommodation, and reduce reliance on commercial providers over time.

This will see a move away from full reliance on private providers and towards a core of State-owned accommodation, delivering 14,000 State-owned beds by 2028. This will be supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers.

This strategy is being implemented through a range of strands:

• Use of State land for prefabricated and modular units
• Conversion of commercial buildings
• Targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties
• Design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres
• Upgrading of IPAS centres.

Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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485. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department would consider offering an International Protection Accommodation Services contract to an individual who intends to house individuals in accommodation that has violated planning laws; the protocols in place to ensure this does not happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27660/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Providing reception conditions to international protection applicants 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 centres around the country.

In meeting our obligation to provide material reception conditions to people seeking international protection, the Department can consider offers of accommodation from a tax-compliant company, subject to compliance with statutory requirements and minimum standards.

The Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted, including checks via the Companies Registration Office (CRO) to ensure compliance with CRO requirements and tax compliance checks by way of a valid Tax Clearance Certificate.

Offers of accommodation can be made by a property owner, or another person who has authority do so, such as a leaseholder. As part of our appraisal process, we confirm if an offer has come from someone with the appropriate authority.

In all instances where the Department enters into a contract with an accommodation provider, the onus is on the provider to ensure all activities at the property are within legal limits, including health and safety, fire, planning and building compliance.

Part of the appraisal process for a new contract includes review of the property’s services and compliance, in conjunction with the Local Authority where relevant.

Once a contract is in place, any ongoing matters relating to fire, building or planning regulations are between the Local Authority and the provider.