Latest news with #internationalProtection
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Irish Times
More than 130 properties offered for IP accommodation as Government looks to buy, not rent
More than 100 properties have been offered to the State following the latest push by Government to purchase large properties for asylum seeker accommodation. A spokeswoman for Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said 131 submissions were made in response to a call for properties for international protection accommodation to 'sell or lease'. The preference was to purchase, she said. 'That is the direction we are going.' Offers were being 'worked through and assessed', meaning it was not possible to say how many of the 131 had been offered for sale rather than lease. The spokeswoman could also not say if they were spread across every county or concentrated in a smaller number. READ MORE Not all would be suitable, the spokeswoman said, adding that they were being examined for building compliance, fire and other regulatory issues. Last Tuesday, Mr O'Callaghan confirmed plans to purchase Citywest Hotel in Dublin for more than €148 million to make it a permanent processing centre for international protection applicants. This would contribute to his plan to provide 14,000 State-owned beds for asylum seekers by 2028 rather than relying on private providers and would 'deliver significant long-term savings to the State as its moves from licensing to ownership,' a department spokesman said. The 764-bed hotel and conference centre, which has been leased by the State since 2020, had capacity to accommodate 'approximately 2,300 people between the hotel and the convention centre', the spokesman said. The latest invitation for submissions, published on the Government's E-tender website, seeks 'expressions of interest from property owners, private developers and building contractors who are interested in selling or leasing existing properties or buildings in turnkey condition [and] existing properties that require upgrading/refurbishment/renovation'. 'All properties acquired through this expression of interest process will be to provide accommodation for international protection (IP) applicants and must be on the terms of vacant possession,' the notice says. According to tender documents, properties that will not be considered are buildings set aside for social housing; accommodation planned for use by other arms of Government; student accommodation; and nursing homes which are currently operating. State-owned properties will be directly managed by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) . As of early 2025, IPAS was providing accommodation for more than 33,000 people across 325 accommodation centres. Mr O'Callaghan said purchasing Citywest was 'a hugely significant step' towards reforming the international protection system – part of which was a 'stable and sustainable accommodation network'. This was necessary to bring Ireland's system into compliance with the EU Asylum and Migration Pact which comes into force next year, he said. It will require international protection applications to be processed within three to six months, fingerprinting and photographing of adult and child applicants and the establishment of designated accommodation centres. 'State-owned centres are part of the Government's long-term plan to reduce the reliance on private accommodation providers in communities resulting in better value for money of public funds and a more efficient international protection system,' Mr O'Callaghan said. News of the Citywest purchase sparked protests by some local residents . Protesters claimed to have gathered more than 8,000 signatures of people against the move by going door-to-door in Saggart, Rathcoole and Citywest. 'Ninety per cent of the doors we called to signed that petition. It shows that 90 per cent of people in the areas around here do not want this,' said Amanda Higgins at a demonstration outside Leinster House on Wednesday.
BreakingNews.ie
16 hours ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Citywest Hotel sale: Two protests planned on Sunday by residents group
Two protests by a residents group are to take place on Sunday outside the former hotel and conference centre Citywest and in Dublin city centre. The protests, the fifth by the Stop Citywest Hotel Purchase group, are aimed at highlighting residents' opposition to the Government's planned multimillion euro purchase of Citywest hotel in Dublin as accommodation for international protection applicants. Advertisement The Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, announced on Tuesday that the Cabinet approved the purchase of the site for €148.2 million. Mr O'Callaghan's announcement came after several months of negotiations and disquiet among the local Citywest community. A spokesperson for the group posted on social media outlined that they are 'calling on supporters from other counties to join us in a strong show of unity' for a peaceful protest outside Citywest Hotel. The first protest is to take place at 2pm from the Garden of Remembrance at Parnell Square through the city centre and the second at 6.30pm in Saggart village. Advertisement The group is also planning another vehicle protest next week in Mr O'Callaghan's constituency. The Minister highlighted that owning the hotel and conference centre, rather than leasing it, would provide great 'value for money' and long-term saving for the State. He added: 'In a sector that has seen extremely high costs in recent times, purchasing Citywest makes prudent financial sense for the State compared to costs of leasing the site. "The purchase represents a payback period to the State of approximately four years, and over 25 years, the purchase and operating cost model offer savings of more than €1 billion, while delivering a permanent State asset.' Advertisement Mr O'Callaghan said he is 'committed' to reforming Ireland's international protection system to ensure its efficiency and robustness. He noted that a 'stable and sustainable accommodation network' is a central element of that reform. The hotel has been used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers since 2022. The site has the capacity to accommodate up to 2,300 people. It was first used by the State as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Legal action is also being considered by the Stop Citywest Hotel Purchase residents group also based in Saggart. The group held a drive slow protest on the N7 last Friday and a protest outside the Dáil last Wednesday. Advertisement A spokesperson for the group claims that the government's decision to purchase Citywest Hotel and convert it into a permanent refugee centre will have an 'irreversible effect on our village'. Ireland Government to buy Citywest Hotel for €148.2 millio... Read More The spokesperson continued: 'Such an action will not only strain local infrastructure and resources but also place significant stress on both the existing and newly arrived' people. 'Both groups are likely to suffer from inadequate integration efforts, which are essential for fostering mutual understanding and harmony.' The group pointed out that 'transforming such a significant local landmark into a permanent centre is affecting local businesses reliant on tourism and disrupting the quiet ambiance many of us value. It is causing challenges in community integration and our security.' They claim the move will place a burden on public services, such as education, healthcare, and transportation, and that they 'have seen very little help from the Government'.
Irish Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Eight international protection accommodation contracts terminated in first four months of 2025
Seven International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) contracts with commercial accommodation providers were ended in the first four months of the year for reasons including noncompliance with planning, fire safety and other regulations, the Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, has said. More than 90 per cent of all international protection accommodation is provided on a commercial basis, with hotels, B&Bs and other centres taking up contracts to provide beds for people arriving in the State seeking asylum. This reliance on private providers led to the Government spending more than €1 billion on international protection accommodation last year. The budget for this year is €1.2 billion. Concerns have been raised about standards at some private accommodation centres, which are not all subject to independent inspections. READ MORE Mr O'Callaghan has said his preference is for international protection applicants to be housed in State-owned accommodation. Figures released by his department in response to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon show that between January 1st and May 7th last, eight contracts with private accommodation providers were terminated. This represented 140 bed spaces. The department said seven of the contracts were ended by the State side, with one terminated by the provider. 'I am informed that reasons for termination can vary but can include noncompliance with contractual terms or with regulatory requirements like building and fire regulations or planning matters,' Mr O'Callaghan said. 'In the same period, 12 new IPAS accommodation contracts have been agreed, accounting for capacity of up to 848 bed spaces.' [ International protection overhaul an 'important step' in wider reform, Minister says Opens in new window ] Mr O'Callaghan said the commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation 'will continue to be necessary' in the short to medium term, but it is being contracted on a short-term basis to allow the 'State to decommission this capacity with agility as contracts expire or demand fluctuates'. Mr Gannon said he had sought figures on the numbers of IPAS contracts that were ending following a media interview given by Mr O'Callaghan last month. Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, the Minister said 'many' of the agreements with private providers were 'now being terminated'. He said this was 'because if the numbers are going down, we don't need to have as many places for accommodation as provided before'. Mr Gannon said the figures released to him showed there had, in reality, been more contracts created than ended this year. 'So, far from winding things down, the system is expanding,' Mr Gannon said. While he welcomed planned reforms such as faster processing times for international protection applications, Mr Gannon said the fairness of the system matters 'just as much' as the speed of it. 'The truth is, Ireland is already failing to meet its legal obligations. In December, over 3,000 asylum seekers were left homeless,' he said. 'In April, the European Court of Justice confirmed that housing shortages are no excuse for denying basic care. We can't afford to play politics with facts, or with people's lives. The real issue isn't too many beds, it's too little planning, too much reliance on the private sector, and not enough focus on human rights and dignity at the core of the system.' In April, the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner said IPAS centres had been the subject of six whistleblowing allegations last year. It said these centres were an 'emerging theme' for the office and it raised concerns about 'the lack of uniformity of the inspection regime' for them. The Department of Justice said: 'Owing to the protected nature of protected disclosures, the department does not comment on whether such disclosures have been made in any specific instance.'
Irish Times
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Eight international protection accommodation contracts terminated in first four months of 2024
Seven International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) contracts with commercial accommodation providers were ended in the first four months of the year for reasons including noncompliance with planning, fire safety and other regulations, the Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, has said. More than 90 per cent of all international protection accommodation is provided on a commercial basis, with hotels, B&Bs and other centres taking up contracts to provide beds for people arriving in the State seeking asylum. This reliance on private providers led to the Government spending more than €1 billion on international protection accommodation last year. The budget for this year is €1.2 billion. Concerns have been raised about standards at some private accommodation centres, which are not all subject to independent inspections. READ MORE Mr O'Callaghan has said his preference is for international protection applicants to be housed in State-owned accommodation. Figures released by his department in response to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon show that between January 1st and May 7th last, eight contracts with private accommodation providers were terminated. This represented 140 bed spaces. The department said seven of the contracts were ended by the State side, with one terminated by the provider. 'I am informed that reasons for termination can vary but can include noncompliance with contractual terms or with regulatory requirements like building and fire regulations or planning matters,' Mr O'Callaghan said. 'In the same period, 12 new IPAS accommodation contracts have been agreed, accounting for capacity of up to 848 bed spaces.' [ International protection overhaul an 'important step' in wider reform, Minister says Opens in new window ] Mr O'Callaghan said the commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation 'will continue to be necessary' in the short to medium term, but it is being contracted on a short-term basis to allow the 'State to decommission this capacity with agility as contracts expire or demand fluctuates'. Mr Gannon said he had sought figures on the numbers of IPAS contracts that were ending following a media interview given by Mr O'Callaghan last month. Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Claire Byrne, the Minister said 'many' of the agreements with private providers were 'now being terminated'. He said this was 'because if the numbers are going down, we don't need to have as many places for accommodation as provided before'. Mr Gannon said the figures released to him showed there had, in reality, been more contracts created than ended this year. 'So, far from winding things down, the system is expanding,' Mr Gannon said. While he welcomed planned reforms such as faster processing times for international protection applications, Mr Gannon said the fairness of the system matters 'just as much' as the speed of it. 'The truth is, Ireland is already failing to meet its legal obligations. In December, over 3,000 asylum seekers were left homeless,' he said. 'In April, the European Court of Justice confirmed that housing shortages are no excuse for denying basic care. We can't afford to play politics with facts, or with people's lives. The real issue isn't too many beds, it's too little planning, too much reliance on the private sector, and not enough focus on human rights and dignity at the core of the system.' In April, the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner said IPAS centres had been the subject of six whistleblowing allegations last year. It said these centres were an 'emerging theme' for the office and it raised concerns about 'the lack of uniformity of the inspection regime' for them. The Department of Justice said: 'Owing to the protected nature of protected disclosures, the department does not comment on whether such disclosures have been made in any specific instance.'
BreakingNews.ie
26-05-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Minister for Justice 'confident' Government will have 'vigorous' screening for migrants
The Minister for Justice said on Monday he is 'fairly confident' the government has or will in the near future 'vigorous' screening systems in help tackle the number of people illegally entering Ireland. Speaking to reporters in Limerick he said: 'I think we will be operating a very effective screening program once we enact and commence the International Protection Bill that I've got approval from government to draft, and it'll be brought into the Oireachtas at the end of the year.' Advertisement Minister Jim O'Callaghan said that the current 'Eurodac system', which assesses asylum applicants into Ireland will be 'upgraded' in June, to include 'a full biometric analysis performed in respect of any individuals who are coming in seeking international protection in Ireland'. Concerns were reported that because Ireland does not have access to certain EU security databases available in Schengen member states, it may not be able to carry out robust screening identity checks on asylum applicants. Minister O'Callaghan said Ireland was not part of Schengen because 'we want more robust systems in terms of protecting our borders'. 'I'm fairly confident that at present and certainly in the future, in June, that we will have very vigorous mechanisms in place to assess and ensure that we properly have information on individuals claiming international protection in Ireland,' he said. Advertisement Minister O'Callaghan said he previously visited the Eurodac screening system in place at Dublin Airport and found that all international protection applicants were 'fingerprinted', and are checked against Europol's watch list 'to see whether or not they have applied for asylum in other EU countries'. However, the Minister acknowledged 'there's an issue arising in terms of individuals coming down from Northern Ireland' to the Republic. He warned: 'Our systems have to become much stronger as time goes on.' While Ireland is a welcoming country for people 'fleeing persecution', the minister added, 'we need to have a system in place that ensures our security is properly preserved'. Advertisement Michael Gaine Seperately, he said he was 'very disturbed' to hear body parts belonging to murdered farmer, Michael Gaine had been found on Mr Gaine's farm, at Kenmare, Co Kerry, last Friday, eight weeks after he was declared missing. The minister would not be drawn on whether he shared concerns growing in Kenmare in respect of how gardaí have so far handled the probe. 'I was very disturbed to hear that some of the body parts that were identified are those of Michael Gaine, and I just want to express my condolences to his family in respect of that very traumatic development.' Minister O'Callaghan said he was being 'kept updated on it by the Garda Commissioner' but said, 'I'm not going to start getting involved in talking about that investigation. I'm going to leave policing investigations to An Garda Síochána, it's not my job to get involved and start directing them or commenting on their investigations.' Advertisement Ireland EU engaging 'sensibly' with US administration foll... Read More 'All I would say is I would appeal to anyone in the area who has information in respect of the murder of Michael Gaine that they would provide that information to the gardaí.' Meanwhile, following the publication of crime statistics, Minister O'Callaghan said he had a 'simple message for the Garda Commissioner and senior garda management - I want to see more gardaí out on the street'. Asked what his plans were to reduce the number of people carrying and using knives in public, he replied: 'I was worried about the increase in those figures over the past five to six years or so.' 'The gardaí obviously have to do their job in terms of seizing knives which are being carried unlawfully. But also, we as politicians need to send a message out that it's unacceptable for young men, and I regret to say, boys as well, to be carrying knives. It's unnecessary for them to carry a knife.'
