Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1925. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department maintains a centralised record of all facilities that have been used under contract to house beneficiaries of temporary protection; whether it retains information on facilities that are no longer under contract; whether this data has ever been compiled or analysed to inform future planning or coordination with other State entities; and whether his Department uses this information or shares it with other Departments when considering the future use of such facilities. [40922/25]

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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1926. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality whether his Department maintains any oversight or follow-up once a contract for the use of a facility to accommodate beneficiaries of temporary protection is terminated; whether his Department tracks or evaluates what subsequently happens to such facilities and their local impact; and if not, whether his Department believes it has any responsibility to ensure that communities are not left with unmanaged voids or adverse consequences, particularly where facilities were operated by private entities motivated primarily by commercial opportunity. [40923/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1925 and 1926 together.

My Department is responsible for providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports Ukrainian citizens in Temporary Protection to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive. In sourcing and securing accommodation, the central consideration is the safety and security of the displaced people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The Department aims to ensure that level of contracted accommodation in place meets the evolving needs of the State’s response to the Ukraine Crisis.

While my Department maintains a central register of all contracted accommodations, including those where the service has concluded, the Deputy will appreciate that the future use of properties is a commercial decision for the accommodation provider after a contract has ended, and my Department has no role in this matter.

In practice the experience has been that many properties return to private use, tourism or student use, and a small proportion may be used for International Protection accommodation. Providers who wish to contract for the accommodation of International Protection applicants must successfully complete an appraisal process.

Where contracts with accommodation providers are not renewed, my Department undertakes to offer alternative accommodation for those beneficiaries of temporary protection who continue to be in need of assistance. However, while my Department will endeavour to offer alternative accommodation in the region in which they are currently accommodated, this is not always possible.