Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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394. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if any engagement took place with local representatives, NGOs, schools, healthcare providers, or community groups in relation to the use of facilities (details supplied) prior to the establishment of the Community Engagement Team in 2023; and if he will publish minutes or summaries of the eight stakeholder meetings and seven information notes referenced in the reply. [53082/25]

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. 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 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.

Prior to the establishment of the Community Engagement Team, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth (DCEDIY) would have had engagement with local stakeholders in relation to some sites. However, a formal team and approach to engagement was not in place before the establishment of the Community Engagement Team at the end of 2023.

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.

The website is updated with all issues raised at engagement meetings, or included in information notes.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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395. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if any portion of the associated land at a location (details supplied) is intended for use in developing modular homes or additional accommodation blocks in future; and if consultation has taken place with South Dublin County Council or other planning authorities regarding land-use. [53086/25]

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.

As stated in previous updates issued to local elected representatives and residents’ groups, the Department can confirm that there are no plans in place to increase capacity on the site or on the grounds.

It is important to emphasise that accommodation for people seeking international protection and responses to crisis events, like the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, are demand-led. The Department will engage with elected representatives and the local authority if any emergency use or further capacity development is required.

The Department has no plans to develop the cemetery area and has no plans to use this land for any other purpose.

The Department hopes to seek approval for the development of a solar farm on the site, allowing for the necessary technical assessments needed. This would be a positive development for the site and make a contribution to sustainability for the site.

Any such plans will include advance engagement with local elected representatives, South Dublin County Council and other partners.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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396. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Comptroller & Auditor General or an independent external auditor has reviewed the value-for-money assessment underpinning the €148m purchase of a facility (details supplied); and to publish the detailed methodology used to support the claim that the purchase price will be recouped within four years.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53087/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Cabinet approval for the State purchase of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre for international protection accommodation was secured this year, on 17 June 2025.

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 purchase was approved following an extensive due diligence process, including appropriate survey, legal review and independent valuation, in line with the Government Infrastructure Guidelines. These guidelines set out the value for money guidelines for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects, including purchase or acquisitions of assets or shareholdings, in Ireland.

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.

This estimate is based on expenditure in 2024 under the previous leasing model for accommodation for people from Ukraine and international protection at this location. It also includes consideration of the ongoing running costs to the State of providing accommodation at the site after the purchase.

The purchase model represents prudent financial sense for the State in this regard, while also delivering a permanent State asset.

As the purchase expenditure was incurred in 2025, it will form part of the 2025 Appropriation Account in due course which will be subject to audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) next year.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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397. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if legal advice was sought from the Attorney General in relation to proceeding with the use of facilities (details supplied) without planning permission; and whether any monitoring mechanism has been put in place to ensure that the exempted development provisions of S.I. 605 of 2022 and S.I. 376 of 2023 are properly applied in this case.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53091/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre is an existing accommodation centre for people seeking international protection, and for people fleeing the war in Ukraine who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.

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.

This means that the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre can continue to operate as an accommodation centre for people seeking international protection under the provisions of that legislation for as long as it is applicable.

Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)
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398. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality given that 134 submissions were received under the 2024 Expression of Interest process for potential international protection accommodation, the reason the purchase of facilities (details supplied) proceeded before assessments of these submissions were completed; and if this indicates that the decision to purchase the facilities was pre-determined irrespective of the outcome of the EOI process. [53093/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the Programme for Government 2025, and the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for International Protection approved in 2024, the State is working to develop more State-owned international protection accommodation, and reduce reliance on commercial providers over time.

This will see a move away from full reliance on private providers and towards a core of State-owned accommodation, delivering a targeted 14,000 State-owned beds by 2028. This will be supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers.

This strategy is being implemented through a range of strands:

• Use of State land for prefabricated and modular units
• Conversion of commercial buildings
• Targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties
• Design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres
• Upgrading of IPAS centres.