Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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973. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is aware of the problems encountered by families with children with autism who have obtained citizenship and are currently being accommodated in hotels on an interim basis, having been required to leave direct provision centres; if his Department has provided any additional supports for families in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29004/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Department is responsible for providing reception conditions - accommodation and other supports - to people applying for international protection. People who have been granted status that allows them to remain in Ireland are no longer entitled to IPAS accommodation, but some remain in IPAS accommodation before they transition to accommodation in the community.

Services are in place to support families applying for international protection who are considered to have complex needs, or to meet one or more of the categories of special reception needs as identified through vulnerability assessment.

Vulnerability assessments are provided to all new families at the point of application. Families who require supports that arise after applying can access this through direct contact with the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) or via representations from medical or other services.

Where it is needed, the Resident Welfare Team in IPAS will endeavour to identify suitable accommodation to meet people's needs from within IPAS' portfolio of accommodation. They also work to provide or signpost the family to other necessary supports.

Services for all international protection applicants, including healthcare, are mainstreamed and accessed through the same referral pathways as Irish citizens or eligible residents.

Residents in IPAS accommodation centres access GP services within the local community, and other health services are accessed through primary care, GP referral and emergency services. In addition, all children have the same access to primary and post primary education as an Irish citizen or resident. This includes children with special educational needs.

Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) from the Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) are assigned to the Resident Welfare Team in IPAS. The EWOs liaise with 16 Regional Education and Language Teams (REALT) Co-ordinators nationally.

They work to support children and families seeking international protection to find school places, to signpost schools requesting supports and to support applications for school transport as appropriate.

Parents, Centre Managers, REALT and EWOs in IPAS all collaborate to secure school places for children living in IPAS accommodation. Places are secured in local schools in so far as is possible.

The National Council for Special Educational Needs (NCSE) coordinates and reviews the provision of educational supports to all students with special educational needs in line with Department of Education policy. This includes children with autism.

School Principals are encouraged to continue to work with their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) regarding children with special educational needs. Each Regional SENO is available to parents to discuss their concerns and issues regarding their child and will offer their support and expertise.

Where special educational needs are highlighted to IPAS, the EWOs liaise with REALT and SENOs to have the necessary supports provided.

If a family is required to move to an alternative IPAS Accommodation Centre, the various teams in IPAS engage with the EWOs to ensure in so far as possible that families with special educational needs can remain in the same local area to continue to receive the same supports.

Where it is not possible for them to remain in the local area, the EWOs liaise with REALT, SENOs or the local Educational Welfare Service to arrange to have similar supports provided in the new area.