Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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311. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for information on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60841/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I can advise the Deputy that my Department informed this provider that the Department would terminate the relevant contract on 29 October and that this would come into effect with its cessation on 30 November 2025.

In relation to payments made to this provider, there is full transparency from the Department in terms of providers receiving payments, with details of all payments over €20,000 and the recipients published quarterly online at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-social-protection/collections/purchase-orders-for-20000-or-above/

Payments to this provider are included in these public reports.

As the Deputy will be aware extensive challenges were posed to the State in sourcing international protection accommodation during an unprecedented surge in applications from 2022 to 2024.

During this period, over 45,000 additional international protection applicants arrived in Ireland. Prior to this, a typical 3-year period would have seen close to 8,000 or 9,000 arrivals.

During the surge period, the State was obliged to urgently source over 26,000 beds for international protection applicants, and in parallel, up to 60,000 beds for people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Centres were opened across the country, often at short notice, in order to ensure that families and children were not left homeless. Despite these efforts, the State was unable to provide all single male applicants with accommodation from the end of 2023.

Due to the recent reduction in the numbers seeking international protection, the State is now in a position to begin regularising the accommodation portfolio and increasing the number of state-owned beds.

The Department continues to appraise the portfolio of existing accommodation with a view to consolidation where possible, along with better governance and compliance.

While commissioning emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be necessary in the short to medium term, it is being contracted on a short-term basis, which enables the State to decommission this capacity with agility as contracts expire or demand fluctuates.

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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312. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the plans for the reopening of facilities at a location (details supplied) for the use of the local community relying on the services; if a date is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60890/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As you are aware, the State purchased the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre in August 2025, as an important aspect of the implementation of the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for international protection which aims to build a more sustainable International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system for the longer term.

The Department is aware that the leisure centre at the Citywest Hotel and Convention centre complex is a valued local amenity with approximately 3,000 members. Following the purchase of the complex, the Department contracted the current provider to oversee the management and provision of service for the gym and the existing workforce was maintained under the transitional agreement.

Due to the public disorder outside of the Citywest Hotel and Convention Centre campus, access had to be restricted to the campus for residents, staff, and members of the public accessing services including the leisure centre and restaurant. This measure was taken to protect the safety of all people who may be on the campus.

Members of the leisure centre were informed about the access restrictions and refund arrangements by the management.

An Garda Síochána is working closely with the Department regarding security arrangements at the campus and this is being kept under daily review. Public access to the campus, including the leisure centre, remains restricted at this time and there will be ongoing communication including with local public representatives in respect of any update to this.