I thank the Deputy. I wish to start by also expressing my sympathy and condolences to Garda Flatley's family, colleagues and the community. It is a very sad occasion in which we are taking these questions here today, and they put a lot of things in context. The Government has brought significant focus to addressing a range of complex systemic pressures within our international protection system. Ireland has adopted and is now working to implement the EU pact on migration and asylum in mid-2026. As Minister of State, my goal is to ensure a robust and enforced immigration system. The system should provide efficient processing and ensure people who meet the criteria for international protection can be accepted and integrated into our society quickly. It will also ensure that anyone who does not meet the criteria is refused protection and leaves the State. My overall strategic approach is intended to reduce the scale of the demand for accommodation. This is against a backdrop in Ireland and other EU member states where we have responded to a very sharp and sustained increase in the number of people applying for international protection from early 2022 to the end of 2024. To illustrate this, at the beginning of 2022, Ireland's international protection accommodation services sheltered approximately 7,000 people. By the end of 2024, this had expanded by almost 400% to accommodate 32,000 eligible people. The total cost of IPAS accommodation in 2024 was just over €1 billion. This figure is still provisional pending publication of the 2024 appropriation accounts for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, under which this service operated during that year. The budget allocated for this service in 2025 is €1.2 billion. The costs include both State-owned and commercially provided emergency accommodation and cover accommodation, catering, utilities, transport and other essential costs. In managing the complex range of accommodation contracts in 325 centres, there are processes in place to ensure value for money and enforce compliance. Officials in IPAS routinely inspect services and oversee the contracts, and engage with providers and regulatory bodies. Within IPAS, these changes will see the proportion of accommodation provided on State-owned sites increased with the objective of developing an accommodation system with a reduced reliance on commercial provision. These changes, along with other steps I am taking to improve the operation of international protection, should curtail the need to constantly grow the capacity we have seen over recent years.
Sentiment score: 0.17
It important to note that the IPAS has grown rapidly and by more than 400%. It is important to note there is extensive oversight of all aspects of accommodation, the commissioning process and all the processes that have been improved incrementally over the past three years. Regarding appraisal of providers, my Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted, including checks on the providers via the Companies Registration Office to ensure compliance with CRO requirements, as well as checks on tax compliance and that providers have valid tax clearance certificates. All commercial offers are appraised by a dedicated team across a range of factors, including the site, its potential, the value for money to the State, that due diligence is done, and planning and regulatory measures. Consideration is also given to the location, locality and access to services in terms of health, wellbeing and security.
Sentiment score: 0.47
It is important to say that standard procedures have been developed and documented for all aspects of the process. There is full transparency from the Department in terms of providers receiving payments. Details of payments over €20,000 are published quarterly online on gov.ie.
Sentiment score: 0.07
There is full detail and transparency within the process.
Sentiment score: 0.00
Migrant workers make an enormous contribution to the Irish economy and society. It is a central priority for me, as Minister for State with responsibility for migration, that our immigrations laws are fair and efficient. An important part of this is having clear legal pathways for workers and their families. My Department’s policy document for Non-EEA family reunification, which was last amended in 2016, is still under review. The policy document sets out the conditions for a sponsor to apply for a family member to be reunited with them in Ireland. In general terms, a sponsor must demonstrate their capacity to provide for their family member. The review is examining a wide range of matters relating to applications for family reunification. Officials from my Department have consulted with a wide variety of stakeholders including relevant Departments and external organisations. While I cannot pre-empt the outcome, I can advise the Deputy it is my expectation that the next stage of the review will be brought to a conclusion soon. My officials will continue to engage with stakeholders regarding any amendments to the policy. While I fully understand that some people moving to Ireland to live and work would wish to have their family join them, the issues to be examined as part of a family reunification application are complex. The primary focus is to ensure that a sponsor in a secure position and able to demonstrate a clear capacity to provide for family members before applications for family to join them here can be approved. I can also advise that the first part of the review was implemented with effect from 15 May 2024. Eligible spouses and partners of people who hold general employment permits and intra-corporate transferee Irish employment permits, who have been granted family reunification, are now registered on a stamp 1G permission, rather than a stamp 3. This allows the holder to take up employment without the need to obtain a separate employment permit of their own.
Sentiment score: 0.22
It is under review and I want to see that concluded as soon as possible and be able to come back on this. I take on board what the Deputy said but it is important that we ensure with family reunifications that financial thresholds in income are met for permit holders to be eligible to apply for their family to join and that it can be done in a proper and clear way. I take his points on board and when the review concludes I will come back to him.
Sentiment score: 0.32
I am acutely aware that for families involved in situations like this it is very important to them and it is very important that they have information. I again refer to what I outlined in reply to the Deputy earlier, namely that it is clearly an important part that someone has sufficient income to sustain a family reunification. A review is ongoing looking at all the processes involved. I will come back to the Deputy with the information as soon as I can.
Sentiment score: 0.31