Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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735. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will pause the eviction of 6 families who have been granted asylum planned for this Friday 4 July from the IPAS centres (details supplied); if he will respond to reports of harassment of these families by staff at the IPAS centres; if he will confirm whether these families will be eligible for emergency accommodation should no alternative accommodation be found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39397/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Department cannot comment publicly on individual cases but I have passed details of this case to officials in my Department and it receiving attention.

If a person applying for international protection has any concerns in relation to their accommodation, they can contact the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) directly via a dedicated helpdesk at .

As background to cases such as this, of the nearly 33,000 people resident in IPAS accommodation, approximately 5,300 people have completed their application process and have received a positive decision. This means they have a legal status that allows them to remain in Ireland, and to work.

It also means that they are no longer entitled to IPAS accommodation. However, they are now able to access the full range of housing supports available to all Irish residents. These housing supports are not available to people who are still going through the international protection application process.

In the past 18 months, over 7,000 people with status have left IPAS accommodation and progressed into the community. During the coming months, IPAS will be progressing moves for approximately 600 families with status to remain from IPAS accommodation centre across the country. This is 2,042 people in total.

To help people move from IPAS accommodation and find housing options in the community, IPAS has a team that works in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Local Authorities.

The families being moved have had their status to remain for more than 12 months and were first informed about the planned relocation one year ago.

IPAS also sent them a follow up letter in March 2025, letting them know that they would be moved from early July and reminding them of the supports available and options.

Each family who will be moved is given specific information 4 weeks before their specific moving date, which includes details of the alternative accommodate that IPAS can provide.

Everyone who has been notified will be moved, except in very rare circumstances where someone cannot be moved for medical reasons.

IPAS works to give people significant notice, and is progressing this during Summer months in order to allow families time to plan and to avoid moving children during the school year.

People in this group will be supported to move into the community or if they do not find accommodation, they will be offered alternative emergency accommodation by IPAS.

The first moves commenced on 4 July and they will continue on a phased basis throughout the summer.

While numbers of new applications for international protection have reduced compared to 2024, there are still on average 1,000 people applying for international protection every month, who are entitled to be offered reception conditions, including accommodation.

It is essential that IPAS maintains enough accommodation to meet the needs of new applicants, who have a legal entitlement to IPAS accommodation, do not have immediate access to the labour market, and do not have access to standard housing benefits or standard social welfare entitlements.