I propose to take Questions Nos. 445 and 446 together.
In February 2021 A White Paper to End Direct Provision and establish a new International Protection Service was published. The paper set out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland and contains three core themes – accommodation, integration and supports. There is a legal obligation on the state to meet the requirements under the EU Recast Reception Conditions Directive to provide accommodation to all who request it.
In 2022 and 2023 Ireland experienced unprecedented numbers of new IP arrivals with over 26,900. To put this in context the total number of applications received in 2022 and 2023 (26,900) is greater than the total received over the preceding eight year period, 2013-2021 (23,369). These very significant arrival numbers have continued in the first months of 2024, with the highest number of applicants, over 3300, received in January and February according to IPO published statistics. This represents a 56% increase when compared to the corresponding period in 2023.
On the 27th March 2024 Government agreed a new Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for International Protection applicants. The strategy seeks to address the current accommodation shortfall, while reforming the system over the longer term to ensure the State will always be able to meet its international commitments.
Accommodation in the new strategy will be delivered through the following multi-strand approach:
1. Use of State land for prefabricated and modular units
2. Conversion of commercial buildings
3. Targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties
4. Design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres
5. Upgrading of IPAS Centres
The table below details the composition of accommodation from 2028 onwards
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Accommodation Type
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Bed Capacity
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Ownership
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Reception and Integration Centres and Accommodation Centres, at national standards
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Up to 13,000
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State Owned
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In-Community Accommodation for vulnerable persons, at national standards.
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Up to 1,000
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State Owned, operated in partnership with NGOs.
|
|
Contingency Accommodation, at national standards
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Up to 11,000
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Commercial Providers
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|
Emergency Accommodation
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Up to 10,000
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Commercial Providers
|
As detailed in the strategy, accommodation will be delivered through a blended approach of purchasing, turnkey deliverable and delivery on State owned sites. The breakdown of dedicated state owned Reception and Integration and Accommodation Centres will be dependent on the opportunities that arise from the multi-strand approach. Progress made on the CAS includes the launching on the 30th April of an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the purchase or leasing of turnkey properties. The EOI requires properties submitted for consideration to be able to accommodate a minimum of 150 individuals.
In relation to the 11,000 commercially owned contingency accommodation units targeted by 2028, existing IPAS centres will be used if they pass an assessment of their physical and social infrastructure in line with National Standards. Additionally new centres will be acquired as detailed above.
