2314. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the medical reasons in which an individual would not be transferred from an IPAS centre to an alternative location; and if this would include ongoing cancer treatment. [57572/26]

IPAS Accommodation is provided for in EU regulations and transposed into Irish law.

Accommodation provided by IPAS is by its nature temporary, and residents may be relocated from one centre to another during their time in IPAS accommodation, for a range of reasons. This might include centre changes or closures, health and wellbeing matters, or operational reasons to manage the overall capacity of the system.

IPAS acknowledges that relocating can be very disruptive for people. Where it is necessary for IPAS to transfer people from their accommodation for operational or other reasons, every effort is made to enable people with particular special reception needs or vulnerabilities to remain in the local area to maintain their links with medical care, special education, or other services they are receiving.

If this is not possible, IPAS works with the National Social Inclusion Office in HSE and Tusla Education Support Service colleagues to assist with transfer of medical services or education in the new area.

Due to the high demand for accommodation, IPAS can only consider transfer requests for international protection applicants that involve a medical priority, or otherwise exceptional cases at this time. To submit a transfer request on medical grounds, individuals and families are required to submit a referral form in accordance with the IPAS Protocol for Medical Transfer Requests[] (www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/7027f7e8/IPAS_Medical_Transfer_Request_2026.pdf).

Where a person or family requests to transfer to a particular location or to remain in a particular location if a centre is closing, IPAS can only consider such requests in exceptional cases where there are serious medical needs such as major physical or intellectual disabilities, acute health conditions requiring ongoing specialised care in a specialist hospital (for example, active cancer treatment or dialysis). While IPAS teams recognise that people may be integrating into the community, attending education or working, given the limitations within our accommodation options, new accommodation or availability may not be available in the same area.

It is important to note that the majority of special reception needs, medical needs and vulnerabilities can be addressed in all IPAS accommodation and in most locations nationally. In addition, most people seeking international protection are entitled to a medical card and their treatment is provided in the same manner as Irish residents or citizens, through publicly funded health and social care services provided by the HSE or by organisations funded by the HSE.