Written answers
Monday, 8 September 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
International Protection
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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1603. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for confirmation of whether he plans to expand the use of a premises (details supplied), as a centre under the international protection accommodation services; and if so, for details of the scope and nature of such plans. [45721/25]
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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1604. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for confirmation of whether he, any other Government Department, or State agency has plans, whether at discussion stage or already agreed, to purchase a premises (details supplied), for use as a centre under the international protection accommodation services; and if so, for details of the rationale behind such a decision. [45722/25]
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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1605. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for confirmation of the number of international protection applicants currently residing at a premises (details supplied); and the expected duration of their accommodation at the site. [45723/25]
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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1606. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria and processes being used to assess the suitability of a premises (details supplied), for expanded use as an IPAS centre, including any assessments of its capacity to accommodate additional applicants. [45724/25]
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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1607. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for confirmation of whether any agreements or contractual arrangements have been entered into between his Department and the owners or developers of a premises (details supplied), for its redevelopment or long-term operation as an IPAS centre; and if so, for details of the terms involved. [45725/25]
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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1608. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for confirmation of whether an impact assessment has been conducted to evaluate the effects of expanding IPAS accommodation at a premises (details supplied), on the surrounding communities of Breaffy and Castlebar; and if so, for details of when and how its findings will be published. [45726/25]
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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1609. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the means by which his Department is coordinating with Mayo County Council, the HSE, and other relevant authorities to ensure that public services in Breaffy and Castlebar can meet the anticipated demand resulting from increased population due to IPAS accommodation at a premises (details supplied). [45727/25]
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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1610. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for a breakdown of the costs incurred to date in 2025 by the State and Mayo County Council in accommodating international protection applicants at a premises (details supplied), and for details of the projected costs associated with its continued or expanded use. [45728/25]
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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1611. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for details of the involvement of local community groups, residents, local politicians, and Deputies for Mayo in the suitability assessment for the property at a premises (details supplied). [45729/25]
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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1612. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for confirmation of whether the current use of a premises (details supplied), as accommodation for international protection applicants is operating under Section 5 of the Planning and Development Act; and if so, for details of when this exemption is due to expire. [45730/25]
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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1613. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for confirmation of whether the Government or any State Department has agreed to purchase a premises (details supplied), or any part thereof, for the purpose of permanent or expanded use as an IPAS centre; and if so, for details of the transaction. [45734/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1603, 1604, 1605, 1606, 1607, 1608, 1609, 1610, 1611, 1612 and 1613 together.
The Department's International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) has not received an offer of accommodation at Breaffy House Hotel and Resort in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, and is not examining the property for use as international protection accommodation, nor planning to purchase the site.
For the Deputy's information, Breaffy Woods Hotel and the Breaffy Arena, which are adjacent to Breaffy House Hotel and Resort, and are currently in use as emergency accommodation centres for international protection applicants. There are no plans to increase contracted capacity at the two sites.
Since 2024, once a centre is in operation, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has not published details of the capacity or occupancy of our accommodation centres. This is due to both safety and security concerns, and to protect the privacy of international protection applicants in line with legal obligations under the International Protection Act 2015.
With regard to planning status, oversight of planning matters is a function of Local Authorities.
Details of contractual arrangements for IPAS centres are confidential and commercially sensitive. However, quarterly reports on all payments to IPAS accommodation providers over €20,000 are published online and are available on gov.ie here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/dfdadb-department-of-children-and-youth-affairs-purchase-orders-for-20000-o/.
Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1615. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the examination undertaken into the capacity of a premises (details supplied) and services in the surrounding town of Clara prior to its redesignation as a designated accommodation centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45745/25]
Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1616. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the additional supports he will be providing to ensure the new arrivals to an accommodation centre (details supplied) will have adequate access to basic services, including healthcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45746/25]
Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1617. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when discussions to redesignate a premises (details supplied) as a designated accommodation centre first began with the owner of the property; when the contract was finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45747/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1615, 1616 and 1617 together.
In March 2024 the Government implemented a timebound accommodation policy for those people fleeing the war in Ukraine who were granted Temporary Protection in Ireland. People who arrived after 14th March 2024 are entitled to 90-Days of state accommodation in a Designated Accommodation Centre (DAC).
While the overall number of persons requiring state accommodation has been falling, owing to an increase in the number of people arriving from Ukraine seeking Temporary Protection in Ireland over the summer of 2025, a new 90-Day DAC was required to ensure sufficient capacity is available to accommodate new arrivals.
The property referred to, which had been contracted with the Department to provide accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine since June 2024, was designated as a 90-Day Designated Accommodation Centre under the provisions of section 60(14A)(a) of the International Protection Act 2015 on 25 August 2025. This designation will change the use of this property from Ukraine accommodation generally to 90-Day accommodation for new arrivals.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department began engaging with the provider at this location in late July 2025. This following a process of identifying suitable properties within the existing portfolio of state-contracted accommodation. Senior officials within my Department examined the site to assess suitability prior to agreement to designate the property as a 90-Day DAC.
Supports in 90-Day DACs are provided by several key stakeholders including the Irish Red Cross and International Organisation for Migration, as well as the relevant local authority, Department of Social Protection and the HSE. Advice and support is provided in accessing healthcare and social welfare entitlements as well as employment activation, access to the housing market and integration into Irish society. All Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are entitled to apply for a medical card. In addition to existing transport availability, officials of my Department are engaging with the providers at this location to add further transport availability at the centre.
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