International Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2022

Tuesday, 13 December 2022

Questions (464)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

464. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the lease arrangement in place in Dolcain House, Clondalkin, Dublin, currently being used to provide temporary accommodation for persons applying for international protection; if the lease arrangement is being extended beyond three months; if there will be a charge for the lease after the three months; the length of any new lease agreement; the number of individuals and households currently residing in Dolcain House, with a breakdown of individuals by adults and children; and if he will provide a further breakdown of households by single-person households and households with children. [62258/22]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Deputy, my officials are currently in negotiations in regard to the Dolcain House lease arrangement.

As you are aware, I cannot comment on such negotiations as they are commercially sensitive.

As of 11 December, there are 180 single males accommodated in Dolcain House. There are no families, children or couples accommodated in the facility.

As of today there are almost 18,000 people accommodated in the IPAS accommodation system as a whole. At this point in 2021, there were approximately 7,250 persons in IPAS accommodation.

The pressure on this Department to accommodate over 67,000 people currently has led to significant shortages particularly for the international protection cohort.

All of the limited accommodation capacity within the IPAS system is currently being used. Given the significantly increased numbers of arrivals in the context of accommodation shortages, the Department has no option but to consider all offers of accommodation.