Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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473. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if an extension of accommodation will be considered and provided to a person in the short-term (details supplied) until housing supports can be accessed. [49951/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Department cannot comment publicly on individual cases, but I have passed details of this case to officials in my Department and it is receiving attention.

If a person applying for international protection has any concerns in relation to their accommodation, they can contact the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) directly via a dedicated helpdesk at ipasinbox@justice.ie.

As background information, of the nearly 33,000 people resident in IPAS accommodation, approximately 5,000 people have completed their application process and have received a positive decision. This means they have a legal status that allows them to remain in Ireland, and to work.

It also means that they are no longer entitled to IPAS accommodation. However, they are now able to access the full range of housing supports available to all Irish residents. These housing supports are not available to people who are still going through the international protection application process.

In the past 18 months, over 7,212 people with status have left IPAS accommodation and progressed into the community.

To help people move from IPAS accommodation and find housing options in the community, IPAS has a team that works in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Local Authorities.

While numbers of new applications for international protection have reduced compared to 2024, there are still on average 1,000 people applying for international protection every month, who are entitled to be offered reception conditions, including accommodation.

It is essential that IPAS maintains enough accommodation to meet the needs of new applicants, who have a legal entitlement to IPAS accommodation, do not have immediate access to the labour market, and do not have access to standard housing benefits or standard social welfare entitlements.