Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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577. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his Department’s overall approach towards accommodation contracts relating to the International Protection Accommodation Service and beneficiaries of temporary protection in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35755/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2022, against the backdrop of war in Ukraine, increased need, and the acute shortages of accommodation, it has not been possible for the State to apply specific policies in relation to distribution of accommodation centres, including a geographic or county-by-county based dispersal plan.

In relation to the State's Ukraine response, the level of need for accommodation among people fleeing this war has reduced and is expected to continue to do so. Properties are being returned to their former use, for example in tourism, hospitality and education, and to private use.

As a result, the Department is currently seeking to consolidate and rationalise its Ukraine accommodation portfolio to ensure greater compliance with standards and better value for money.

Data from Fáilte Ireland show that in 2024, over 12,000 beds were returned from use by my Department's Ukraine response to tourism. These were among 15,000 beds returned to private use in the period.

This should allow growth of the tourism sector in the areas concerned, with an acknowledgment of the contribution made by these areas and providers to support the historic humanitarian and State response to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

As of 26 June 2025, there are four State provided accommodation centres in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare providing accommodation to people fleeing the war in Ukraine, including children. One of them, the Hydro Hotel, is being returned back to the tourism sector on 4 July 2025.

The Department is not presently contracting additional Ukraine accommodation from new or existing providers. This situation will be kept under review.

In relation to the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), the number of people applying for international protection has increased significantly in this same period. IPAS was accommodating approximately 7,000 people at the end of 2021, and at the end of 2024, the resident total had grown to over 32,000 people.

At the moment, there are approximately 140 people who have applied for international protection resident in the Lisdoonvarna area.

As we respond to changing trends, and work toward a more stable and sustainable accommodation system in this sector, accommodation is being developed and delivered through a range of channels, with a focus on developing more State-owned accommodation.

This is progressing, but the use and commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will be needed in the short to medium term. This accommodation will be contracted on shorter-term basis to allow responsiveness if demand reduces.

The degree of control given to the State by the creation of core supply of State-owned accommodation, of both emergency and permanent options, will increase as supply is delivered, re-establishing strategic direction over the accommodation type, location and dispersal pattern.