Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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597. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the Government's response to the eviction notices issued to parents and children living in IPAS accommodation; the measures being taken to prevent these families from being evicted and to ensure their children's lives are not further disrupted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29088/24]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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599. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 476 of 8 May 2024, if his attention has been drawn to the considerable distress that has resulted from the issuance of transfer letters to children in direct provision with respect to resulting forced school transfer; his Department’s thinking on the refusal to extend the definition of “significant welfare needs” to the impact that such a transfer would have on these children; if he will provide the definition of “significant welfare needs” that his officials are using with regard to these decisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29107/24]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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608. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in relation to the decision to proceed with the eviction notices issued to those living in IPAS accommodation giving them a deadline of 5 July 2024 to find alternative accommodation, if he considered, at a minimum, extending the current exemption in place for those over the age of 65 years or with significant medical or welfare needs to parents and their children who are not transferred to the emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29326/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 597, 599, 608 and 612 together.

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not comment on the particulars of individual transfers.

The Department is currently providing accommodation to over 31,000 people, of whom over 5,500 have been granted permission to remain in Ireland and, as such, are no longer in the International Protection process. At the same time, there is currently an ongoing shortfall of accommodation for newly arrived people applying for international protection.

Where a person progresses through the application and review process, and receives a grant of status or permission to remain in Ireland, their status in terms of access to housing becomes the same as other people living in Ireland and Irish citizens. In these circumstances however, the Department and the IPAS team is aware of the challenges in housing availability across the population and has continued to provide accommodation until residents are in a position to source accommodation independently.

All those with International Protection(IP)/Permission to Remain are written to once status has been granted and are advised that given their progress through the IP process, they will need to seek alternative accommodation. They are supported to register with a Local Authority and, if required, avail of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to secure alternative accommodation.

Given the change in legal status, IPAS works with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to support people in securing alternative accommodation. A specific Transition team works in collaboration with Depaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, and Local Authorities to support residents with status to move on from IPAS accommodation.

Where a person cannot secure independent accommodation by the defined date, IPAS will provide temporary, emergency accommodation. Acknowledging the ongoing increases in people arriving into Ireland seeking international protection, and the shortfall in accommodation for new arrivals, the Department will continue to work to support all those using our services.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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598. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding a property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29103/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.