56. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of asylum seekers who have not been provided with accommodation by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26080/24]

Ireland, and many other European countries, are experiencing a significant increase in people seeking International Protection (IP). The arrival numbers remain significantly elevated. In the first 23 weeks of 2024, over 9,000 people have arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation from the State, averaging 394 people per week. This is more than five times the average from 2017-2019. The highest weekly applications in 2024 was over 610 applicants.

My Department is currently accommodating over 31,000 International Protection (IP) applicants (of whom 7,758 are children).

Despite intensive efforts by my Department to source emergency accommodation, my Department is currently providing contingency material reception conditions in the form of an expense allowance of €113.80 per week to some International Protection (IP) applicants due to the severe shortage of accommodation. This is an increase of €75 per week from the standard expenses allowance of €38.80 for IP applicants in accommodation.

Drop-in day services are provided to all non-accommodated persons who wish to avail of them. Through these services, IP applicants can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week.

My Department officials are working to bring more bed spaces into use. The Department is presently utilising a wide range of accommodation options to provide shelter to record numbers of IP applicants.