Written answers
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
International Protection
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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2084. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of IPAS accommodation contracts that were terminated in 2025 and in each of the past five years; the reason for termination, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43130/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to people seeking international protection is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is currently accommodating nearly 33,000 residents in over 320 international protection accommodation centres around the country.
The Department can consider offers of accommodation from a tax-compliant company, subject to compliance with statutory requirements and minimum standards. The Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted, including checks via the Companies Registration Office (CRO) to ensure compliance with CRO requirements and tax compliance checks by way of a valid Irish Tax Clearance Certificate.
Part of the appraisal process is to confirm whether an offer has come from someone with the appropriate authority. Offers of accommodation can be made by a property owner, or another person who has authority do so, such as a leaseholder.
Contracts detail the industry standards required, providers are made aware of their obligations and must agree to the extensive requirements set out in agreements.
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 requirements, including health and safety, fire, planning and building compliance. Emergency accommodation centres are subject to inspections and compliance checks during the lifetime of the contract.
Oversight processes are in place at all stages of the appraisal, contracting, and contract management process.
The table below details numbers of contracts terminated in the last 5 years.
Year | Number of terminations | Reason/s for termination |
---|---|---|
2021 | 0 | |
2022 | 1 | Non-compliance |
2023 | 1 | Non-compliance |
2024 | 4 | Non-compliance |
2025* | 12 | Non-compliance |
The data provided above does not include instances where providers or property owners ended their provision of international protection accommodation.
Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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2085. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if an application has been submitted to establish an IPAS centre at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43131/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Department's International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) has not received an offer of accommodation at this location and is not currently examining this property for use as international protection accommodation.
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