Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1551. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will publish the corrective action plan timelines for non-compliant IPAS sites (details supplied), the inspection cadence for Cork centres and a summary of resident safeguarding indicators now monitored in real time. [45421/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres are subject to rigorous inspection and oversight.

Centres are contractually obliged to be maintained to National Standards, with independent inspection and quality control through either Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) or IPAS-commissioned inspections.

HIWA inspection reports can be found on the HIQA website: www.hiqa.ie/reports-and-publications/inspection-reports.

IPAS also carries out unannounced inspection compliance visits which ensure adherence to established IPAS policies, procedures, and standards, by the contracted service provider.

Reports of IPAS inspections are available online here: www.gov.ie/en/international-protection-accommodation-services-ipas/publications/ipas-inspection-reports/.

For each centre which is not fully compliant across all standards, a bespoke compliance plan is agreed with the service provider.

These compliance plans note the specific measures which will be taken to ensure full compliance with the National Standards, and the time frame in which they must be achieved.

34 inspections have been carried out in Cork in 2024-2025.

IPAS will continue to engage with all current service providers to issue guidance and assistance to ensure existing applicable accommodation centres are compliant with the National Standards.

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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1552. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the projected ten-year whole-life cost for the State’s purchase and operation of a hotel and campus (details supplied), including capital upgrades, security, on-site health, education and transport supports; the current on-site headcount; the 2025 monthly operating cost; and the cost comparison with a counterfactual lease model presented to Cabinet. [45468/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The State purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for international protection accommodation is now completed.

The purchase of the site is a key part of the Government’s strategy to develop a stable and sustainable accommodation system for people seeking international protection by moving away from commercial properties to State-owned centres.

State-owned centres are part of the Government’s long-term plan to reduce the reliance on private accommodation providers in communities resulting in better value for money of public funds and a more efficient international protection system.

The purchase of Citywest makes prudent financial sense for the State, compared to the current costs of leasing the site.

The full purchase price (including VAT) was €148,253,530 which is in line with the Government decision of 17th June. Compared to the costs of the previous leasing model, the savings to the State will pay back the purchase price within 4 years. The State is estimated to save €1 billion over 25 years, compared to the current model for leasing the site, while also delivering a permanent State asset.

A 12-month transitional service agreement has been put in place with the current provider to oversee the management and provision of accommodation services for both the main hotel and the convention centre. The existing workforce has been maintained under the transitional agreement. Over the coming 12 months a process to tender for a provider to run the Citywest complex will be completed.

There are no plans in place or being developed to increase capacity on the site or on the grounds. Capacity on the purchased site is approx. 2,300.