Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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126. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to list the community groups, elected representatives, NGOs or other stakeholders with whom his Department’s community engagement team has met regarding the use of a hotel (details supplied) for international protection accommodation, the dates of such engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50790/25]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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127. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the monthly occupancy figures since December 2021 for hotels (details supplied) including average and maximum occupancy, categories of residents, services provided and the total costs paid by the State for their use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50791/25]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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128. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of submissions received in response to the May 2024 expression of interest process for international protection accommodation; if hotels (details supplied) were included in such submissions; the general locations of properties proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50792/25]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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129. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the current service agreements governing hotels (details supplied) include requirements for compliance with planning permission, fire safety and building control legislation; if such compliance documents have been furnished to and inspected by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50793/25]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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130. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has carried out any timelines, assessments or consultations relating to making the use of a hotel (details supplied) for international protection accommodation permanent; the intended use of the associated land included in the State purchase; if the Government will confirm whether any additional buildings or modular housing will be developed on that land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50794/25]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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131. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if any value-for-money assessments or independent evaluations were undertaken in respect of the State’s purchase of facilities (details supplied); if he will publish the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50810/25]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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132. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department has carried out assessments of the impact of facilities (details supplied) on local services, including schools, healthcare and transport; if such assessments will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50811/25]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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133. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the inspections which have been carried out by independent bodies such as fire services, local authorities or HIQA in respect of facilities (details supplied); if the findings will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50812/25]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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134. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the Garda vetting and training requirements for staff working in facilities (details supplied) under State contract; if audits have been carried out to ensure compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50813/25]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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135. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the legal basis on which the use of facilities (details supplied) for International Protection accommodation proceeded without planning permission or an exemption being sought from South Dublin County Council; whether his Department accepts this sets a precedent for future developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50814/25]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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137. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the contracts governing the operation of facilities (details supplied) were entered into under emergency procurement provisions; whether he considers it legally justifiable to continue to rely on such emergency measures more than three years after the facility first came into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50816/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135 and 137 together.

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

The full purchase price for the Citywest centre (including VAT) was €148,253,530 which is in line with the Government decision of 17 June 2025. 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.

The Department carried out a number of surveys including technical, mechanical and fire safety for the site as part of a detailed due diligence process followed to secure this purchase.

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.

The Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre has successfully supported accommodation and decision-processing by the State for a number of years, and currently provides capacity for 2,300 people, with both international protection applicants and people from Ukraine resident in the Hotel and Convention Centre. There are no plans in place to increase capacity at the site.

The Department does not routinely publish occupancy figures for accommodation centres, for privacy and security reasons, and also because occupancy levels vary from day to day for operational reasons.

In terms of planning permission, this is an existing accommodation centre for people seeking international protection and for people fleeing the war in Ukraine who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection which is deemed an exempted development under the Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations (S.I. 605 of 2022).

The Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations (S.I. 605 of 2022) were introduced to assist the State in meeting Ireland’s legal obligation to provide accommodation to international protection applicants.

As a hotel and convention centre, the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre’s change of use is permitted as exempt development under the provisions of Class 20F of the Planning and Development (Exempted Development) (No. 4) Regulations (S.I. 605 of 2022).

The Regulations 2023 (S.I. 376 of 2023) extended the planning exemption provided by S.I. 605 of 2022, from 31 December 2024 to 31 December 2028.

In terms of other potential purchases, an Expression of Interest (EOI) process was launched in 2024 for the sourcing of suitable properties for acquisition or lease. 134 submissions have been received. These options are being assessed.

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

IPAS accommodation centres are staffed by accommodation providers who employ managers and staff working in centres. Centre management is responsible for ensuring that appropriate vetting is in place for various centres and staff, and for providing assurance to IPAS and the Department that this is in place.

Contracts for international protection accommodation are treated as confidential and commercially sensitive, but details of all payments to accommodation providers are published regularly on gov.ie at IPAS Statistics/Facts and Figures.

The Community Engagement Team was established at the end of 2023. In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, since the purchase of the site was confirmed, the Community Engagement Team has been engaging broadly with local stakeholders, including members of the Community Integration Forum in South Dublin County Council.

The Department is committed to ensuring that the local community has access to accurate information and that structures to plan for provision of essential and support services, such as healthcare and education, are in place to assist with the integration process.

Since 19 June 2025, the Community Engagement Team has held 8 engagement meetings with stakeholders and provided 7 information notes to local elected representatives.

A dedicated webpage to support the community to keep them informed of developments has been published at www.gov.ie/citywest and is updated regularly.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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136. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the use of facilities (details supplied) for beneficiaries of temporary protection complies with the standards and obligations set out under Council Directive 2001/55/EC (the Temporary Protection Directive); if his Department has reported to the European Commission on these standards; if he will publish any such reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50815/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response to the war in Ukraine with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports the people in question to make longer term independent arrangements.

Council Directive 2001/55/EC (the Temporary Protection Directive) is an emergency provision designed to quickly and humanely respond to the mass displacement of persons. It requires, among other things, that eligible applicants are supplied with necessary and accessible documentation and information on additional supports.

I am advised by my officials that the use of the facilities to which the Deputy refers is of a high standard and complies with our obligations under the Temporary Protection Directive. The Directive in question does not set out any standards with regard to such facilities or reporting obligations with regard to such properties.

The Deputy may wish to note that under the Directive, there are reporting requirements to the Commission with regard to “data concerning the number of persons enjoying temporary protection and full information on the national laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the implementation of temporary protection.”

My Department regularly reports on the numbers of persons granted temporary protection. Weekly statistical reports are provided at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/publications/accommodation-of-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protection-botps/.