Government to deliver 14,000 beds for asylum seekers by 2028

Asylum seekers who had not been provided with accommodation have previously pitched their tents outside the International Protection Offices in Dublin. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

The Government has agreed a plan which will overhaul accommodation provision for international protection applicants.

The reforms will see a move away from full reliance on private providers and towards a core of State-owned accommodation, delivering 14,000 State-owned beds by 2028. This is quadruple the previous commitment under the White Paper.

This will be supplemented by up to 21,000 beds from commercial providers.

A Government statement said it is the intention of this new strategy to end the use of unsuitable accommodation options currently relied upon, such as the sole hotel remaining in a given town.

Accommodation in the new strategy will be delivered through the following multi-strand approach:

• Use of State land for prefabricated and modular units 
• Conversation of commercial buildings 
• Targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties 
• Design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres 
• Upgrading of IPAS centres.

A number of State-owned sites have been identified, with assessments underway for use, the Department of Integration said.

"The Department intends to bring the first sites into use within months. In addition, an Expression of Interest for possible purchases of accommodation will be issued in the coming weeks.

"While delivering State-owned assets through purchase, build and the use of State land, the delivery by commercial providers will supplement State-owned beds, and seek to raise the overall standard of accommodation within the system.

"In addition, the phased and planned approach to accommodation will allow for enhanced community engagement to ensure planning for the provision of essential public services and to assist with the welcome and integration of new arrivals."