Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1127. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of his plans to close all emergency accommodation centres; the expected timeline for the closure of emergency centres that are still in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2213/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been working to reduce dependency on emergency accommodation since early 2020 and has already closed 20 such centres, which is approximately half of the number that were in use at one time. The latest was closed earlier this month.
There are currently 24 emergency accommodation centres around the country. One is due to close at the end of February 2022.
The end of the use of emergency accommodation has been targeted for 2022. This is in the context of the wider White Paper commitment to end direct provision by the end of 2024. The speed at which it will be possible to reduce the use of emergency accommodation will depend on a number of factors, including the demand for accommodation and capacity across the direct provision network. As the Deputy may be aware, there has been a sharp increase in the number of new arrivals seeking international protection accommodation. There have been over 1,900 new arrivals in the period from 1 November 2021 to 16 January 2022.
My Department is this week publishing a Request for Tender to procure additional accommodation for singles, couples and families seeking international protection. This tender process is a key plank in the Department’s strategy to end reliance on emergency accommodation.
