Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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665. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the oversight and accountability mechanisms his Department is putting in place to ensure transparent expenditure and effective governance in relation to the immigration and integration functions transferred from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37743/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system has had to rapidly grow by almost 400% over the last four years, as application numbers increased rapidly from 2022 onward.

This necessitated urgent commissioning of a wide range of accommodation options across the country to meet need and avoid the serious risk of homelessness for people without support or a network here in Ireland.

This function transferred to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on 1 May 2025.

There is extensive oversight within the Department of all aspects of the accommodation commissioning process, and these processes have been improved incrementally over the last three years.

In terms of the appraisal of external providers making offers of accommodation for use, the Department carries out due diligence including checks on the provider via the Companies Registration Office (CRO) to ensure compliance with CRO requirements and tax compliance checks by way of a valid Tax Clearance Certificate.

All commercial offers are appraised by a dedicated team according to a range of factors. These include the site and its potential, value for money to the State, due diligence on the provider, and planning and regulatory matters. Consideration is also given to the location in relation to access to services and health, wellbeing and security factors.

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

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.

Standard procedures have been developed and documented for all aspects of the process including contracting, inspections, contract renewals, and compliance.

There is full transparency from the Department in terms of providers receiving payments, with details of all payments over €20,000 and the recipients published quarterly online at Gov.ie. All expenditure relating to this service is subject to review by the Comptroller and Auditor General.