Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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

Accommodation Type	Bed Capacity	Ownership
Reception and Integration Centres and Accommodation Centres, at national standards	Up to 13,000	State Owned
In-Community Accommodation for vulnerable persons, at national standards.	Up to 1,000	State Owned, operated in partnership with NGOs.
Contingency Accommodation, at national standards	Up to 11,000	Commercial Providers
Emergency Accommodation	Up to 10,000	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.

An Expression of Interest (EOI) process was launched on the 30th April by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for the sourcing of suitable properties. The EOI seeks to identify properties for acquisition under the following criteria:

• 150+ beds;
• Bedrooms in line with National Standards;
• existing properties/buildings in turnkey condition;
• existing properties that require upgrading/refurbishment/renovation.

Work is ongoing to assess the submissions received under the EOI.