562. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of households with status in IPAS accommodation who have been written to with a notice of transfer; the breakdown of those households including the number of children affected; whether best interest assessments have taken place with respect to those children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51194/26]

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is currently accommodating almost 33,000 residents, including just over 5,000 people who have completed their application process and have received a positive decision. This means they have a legal status that allows them to remain in Ireland.

It also means that they are no longer entitled to IPAS accommodation. However, they are now able to access the full range of social protection schemes and housing supports available to all Irish residents. These housing supports are not available to people who are still going through the international protection application process.

The IPAS accommodation system continues to operate under significant pressure, particularly in relation to accommodation for single adult males. In these circumstances, IPAS must prioritise accommodation for international protection applicants who are entitled to accommodation under the International Protection Act 2026.

It is not sustainable for the system to continue accommodating individuals indefinitely who have already been granted status while new applicants are arriving who require accommodation under the State’s legal obligations.

People who have held status for a considerable period - generally six months for single people and couples, and twelve months for families - are supported and encouraged to secure accommodation in the community. If they are unable to do so they may be transferred to IPAS emergency accommodation, where necessary. This approach ensures that IPAS accommodation can remain available for newly arriving applicants.

The Department works closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, local authorities and the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) to ensure coordination and to ensure that people with status are supported to access the housing supports available to them.

Similar to programmes in place over the last two years, IPAS wrote to 475 families in March 2026, letting them know that IPAS accommodation is no longer available to them from early July. These families include 1,654 individuals, of which 917 are children.

Families unable to source private housing can be offered alternative emergency IPAS accommodation, where available. By the time the moves begin during July, the families being moved will have had their status to remain for 12 months or more.

In terms of supports for people with status who are due to move out of IPAS, the Department appreciates that relocating can be very disruptive for people. To help people move from IPAS accommodation and find housing options in the community, IPAS has a team that works in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Local Authorities.