John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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2016. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to provide a timeline for when his Department will make a decision on whether a location (details supplied) will be used to house IPAS residents; the number of residents it may accommodate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42116/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As the need for Ukraine accommodation has reduced over the last year, some Ukraine accommodation centres have been accommodating international protection (IP) applicants in vacancies at their centre. The Avon, Blessington, Co. Wicklow, already has a number of IP applicants resident.

Some Ukraine properties have expressed an interest in providing IP accommodation after their contract for Ukraine accommodation ends this year. The Avon has expressed interest in this. The Avon is one of the four properties referred to on the website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/news/accommodation-centres-returning-to-original-or-alternative-use/

All offers of IP accommodation are reviewed by the Department under a standardised appraisal procedure. Properties from all areas undergo the same transparent process, including the necessary compliance checks and examining a range of important factors.

Factors in the appraisal of IP accommodation include the site suitability, the value for money it offers, planning matters and any works required to meet the required standards.

Consideration is also given to the location with regard to access to services, resident welfare, health and wellbeing, and the current level of need in the sector.

No decision has been made to accept in relation to this offer and the appraisal process is ongoing. Local elected representatives and communities will be contacted by the Community Engagement Team (CET) about this property in due course with any update.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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2017. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department will continue using a facility (details supplied) to accommodate IPAS residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42117/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Kippure Holiday Village is currently contracted by the Department to provide accommodation service for people seeking international protection.

The Department understands that there is ongoing engagement between the provider and the Local Authority in relation to planning matters at this property.

Please note that regulatory matters related to planning are between the Local Authority and the accommodation service provider.

Kippure Holiday Village will continue to accommodate people seeking international protection until this engagement is concluded and, and the Department will then consider any potential impact on the contract that is in place between the service provider and the Department.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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2018. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason there is such a concentration of IPAS accommodation in West Wicklow in comparison to other areas of the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42118/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2022, against the backdrop of war in Ukraine, increased applications for international protection (IP), 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 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), the number of people applying for IP 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.

IPAS provides accommodation in over 320 centres around the country, and publishes regular statistics in relation to IP accommodation. This includes a per county breakdown of where applicants are residing and a wide range of other details.

These statistics are located on the Gov.ie website:

gov.ie/en/international-protection-accommodation-services-ipas/collections/statistics-2004-to-2025/#latest-ipas-statistics-weekly-report

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.

Ireland has adopted and is now working to implement the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum in mid-2026. Reforming and speeding up processing of applications should also serve over time to reduce the scale of the demand for international protection accommodation.

The Department is also working to increase the amount of State-owned international protection accommodation and creating a more stable and sustainable accommodation system.

It is hoped that the creation of a core supply of State-owned accommodation, of both emergency and permanent options, will also allow more strategic direction over accommodation types, location and dispersal patterns nationwide.