Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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625. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the IPAS contract for a facility (details supplied); his views that the High Court order quashing the Section 5 Declaration renders the current use of the site as unauthorised development under the Planning and Development Acts; and if he will instruct his Department to terminate the contract immediately given the facility no longer possesses the requisite planning permission to operate as an IPAS accommodation centre. [65360/25]

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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626. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a socio-economic impact assessment was conducted prior to the establishment of an IPAS centre at a location (details supplied); if he is aware that the contract has directly precipitated the closure of the hotel, golf course, and leisure facilities with the loss of 48 local jobs, removing a vital economic driver and community hub; and the steps his Department will take to mitigate the degradation of the 300-year-old manor house, a protected structure which is currently facing dereliction due to the cessation of commercial operations at the site. [65361/25]

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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627. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the legal basis upon which his Department or the International Protection Accommodation Service entered into a contractual arrangement relating to the use of a location (details supplied); and if his Department sought legal advice on the enforceability of such a contract in circumstances where the Section 5 determination has now been quashed by the High Court. [65362/25]

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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628. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the legal status and validity of any IPAS contract or accommodation agreement connected with a location (details supplied) in view of the High Court’s decision to quash the Section 5 process; and if his Department is now exposed to termination penalties, compensation, or other financial liabilities. [65363/25]

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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629. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the procurement process used by IPAS in relation to a facility (details supplied) complied fully with national and EU procurement rules; and if his Department carried out due diligence on planning status before entering into any contract. [65364/25]

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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630. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department or IPAS had authority to enter into any binding contract or agreement prior to the planning status being definitively established (details supplied). [65365/25]

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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631. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when his Department notified Tipperary County Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage of its plans to contract for accommodation use at a location (details supplied); and if planning vulnerabilities were raised in any correspondence. [65366/25]

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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632. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the timeframe of engagement, negotiation and contractual agreement between his Department or IPAS and the owners or operators of a facility (details supplied) including dates of contract signing, commencement, review, and any termination or variation clauses that can be invoked following the High Court ruling. [65367/25]

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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633. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the projected cost to the State arising from the quashing of the Section 5 decision, including contract payments already made, termination or compensation costs, legal fees, and any other liabilities. [65368/25]

Michael Murphy (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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634. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the changes his Department plans to implement in its contracting and accommodation selection processes to prevent the State entering into legally vulnerable agreements in the future. [65369/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 625 to 634, inclusive, together.

The accommodation centre at Dundrum House, County Tipperary, has been providing accommodation under contract to the Department since 2022, for people fleeing the war in Ukraine and people applying for international protection.

I am advised that Dundrum House Hotel ceased operating as a hotel a decade ago, in 2015. The golf course and other businesses have remained in operation throughout the use of the site for State accommodation. I understand that they have closed quite recently in connection with a commercial dispute to which my Department is not a party.

Some areas of this property have been contracted to provide State-supported accommodation for people from Ukraine since 2022 and to international protection applicants since 2024.

In relation to the most recent contract with the Department, while detailed contractual information is considered confidential and commercially sensitive, a lot of information has been shared with local elected representatives and stakeholders in relation to this process.

The contract was agreed in April 2025, following a detailed appraisal and due diligence process. This includes checks on the provider, and a review of the compliance with building and other regulatory matters overseen by the Local Authority. All matters relating to fire, building or planning regulations at an IPAS accommodation centre are between the Local Authority and the property owner or provider.

As part of all appraisals, the Department requires confirmation, issued by the Local Authority, that the property's use as international protection accommodation is covered by the conditions of the Planning and Development Act and relevant exemptions for this purpose.

Confirmation of this planning exemption was provided to this Department as part of its appraisal for this accommodation contract.

Tipperary County Council have acknowledged within court proceedings over recent months that the granting of a planning exemption to the property in January 2025 had an administrative flaw in the process. On 17 November 2025 the Court made final orders in this matter.

The accommodation provider at Dundrum House has made a new application to the local authority for confirmation of the planning exemption and this is currently with An Coimisiún Pleanála for review.

The Department is now actively reviewing the implication of these matters in the context of the existing contract, and the nearly 200 people and families who are accommodated at Dundrum House at this time.

I will ensure that the Deputy and all other local elected representatives are kept informed of any updates or developments in this matter.