Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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759. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the total occupancy of IPAS accommodation compared to the total capacity. [63130/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, over recent years, the IPAS system was operating at or near full capacity. The lack of capacity and instability in the system to respond to the increase from 2022 to 2024 was damaging for services, residents and people applying for international protection, staff and communities. It also gave rise to an undesirable situation where the State was nearly entirely dependant on private operators.

Total IPAS resident numbers have been steady since the end of 2024, at around 33,000, but individual people and family groups are moving into, and out of, IPAS accommodation every week. It is a very dynamic system, and despite a very substantial decrease in applications for international protection this year, there are still approximately 1,000 new applications every month, and on average 500 people moving into, out of, and around the system on a weekly basis.

In 2025 and 2026, the IPAS system is working toward a goal of having 15% of beds available at any given time. This is a European Union good practice measure, to ensure efficient operations and allow for the daily and weekly movement of new and existing residents, and forward planning.

This model is similar to accommodation models in other countries, and in sectors like healthcare and hospitality, where accommodation requires daily management.

At the moment, IPAS is not meeting this goal, with only 9% of beds available for use. IPAS will continue working towards the goal of 15% available capacity over the coming year. Entrances to and exits from the IPAS accommodation system are restricted due to pressure on suitable capacity for new arrivals, particularly single male applicants, and due to people who have completed their application process finding it hard to source accommodation outside the IPAS system.

While my Department does not routinely collate reports aligning to the information requested, we can supply the following to respond to your request. The table below outlines the available bed capacity within the IPAS system over 318 centres, as at 24 October 2025.

This accommodation type is in shortest supply, with only 600 contingency beds available as outlined above. My Department continues to manage this very limited supply, ensuring that the contingency beds above are kept available for daily arrivals, people with health or other vulnerabilities, and this is kept under continual active review to maximise best use of limited capacity.

Many beds are pre-assigned or out of use on a daily basis for essential reasons including pre-assignments for referrals from daily homeless outreach, beds designated dispersal centres, or for residents due to move from centres that are closing. Bed may be out of use within the system for a range of reasons including infection control, renovation or family room configurations.

My Department works at all times to ensure the limited accommodation capacity is used in the best and most effective way, prioritising those people who are most vulnerable or those with families.