Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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295. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide full information on its reported plans to purchase a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27784/25]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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296. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the current number of residents at a facility (details supplied); to outline the maximum capacity that could be located here if the complex was to be purchased by the Department or agencies; to indicate the average number of individuals to a room in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27785/25]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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297. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the supports in place to ensure proper integration and community safety in relation to a facility (details supplied); the way in which these could be enhanced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27786/25]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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298. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures in place to alleviate the strain on local services in an area and the additional services that will be provided should the State purchase the complex (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27787/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 295, 296, 297 and 298 together.

The complex referred to has successfully supported accommodation and decision-processing by the State for a number of years, and currently accommodates over 2,000 people, with both international protection applicants and people from Ukraine resident on the site.

The Government is committed to moving away from its reliance on the private sector to provide accommodation for people seeking international protection. In line with the Programme for Government and the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS), the intention is to develop more accommodation on State-owned lands.

Steps are also being taken to speed up the international protection application process, and this reform should help curtail the need for constant growth in the accommodation system.

As part of implementation of the CAS, consideration is being given to the acquisition of suitable properties for use as state-owned facilities.

For commercial sensitivity reasons the Department is not in a position to comment on the specifics of any particular possible purchase.

Should any significant development at a new or existing centre be approved, this would be supported by full engagement with community and stakeholders in the relevant area.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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299. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will commit to a process of improved engagement and information sharing with residents in relation to plans to increase numbers at the IPAS Centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27788/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The complex referred to has successfully supported accommodation and decision-processing by the State for a number of years, and currently accommodates over 2,000 people, with both international protection applicants and people from Ukraine resident on the site.

Should any significant development or expansion at the centre be approved, this would be supported by full engagement with community and stakeholders in the relevant area through my Department's Community Engagement Team (CET).

The CET engages directly with elected representatives, local authorities, NGOs, Community Fora, local services, An Garda Síochána and others in advance of opening accommodation centres for people seeking international protection.

The purpose of the team is to improve the flow of information about new and existing accommodation centres into communities, to assist with integration for the people joining our communities.

When a decision is made to accommodate people at a new centre, the team then works to engage with and provide detailed information to the local community, in advance of the centre opening. They will give the full details of the property including the contracted capacity, resident profile and details about how the centre will be managed.

The team can also attend meetings for dialogue with local representatives and groups, providing background information, answering questions and listening to people's views, and helping to activate or support location partnerships where relevant to support accommodation openings.

There have been many consistent examples of meaningful and productive engagement, and service providers and elected representatives around the country demonstrate ongoing support for our work and for our residents.

As part of the Programme for Government 2025, Securing Ireland’s Future, there is a commitment to provide for detailed discussions with communities and to plan more effectively for delivery of increased public services.