14,000 asylum seeker beds by 2028 in 20-30 State centres
But O’gorman coy on cost of opening them
BETWEEN 20 and 30 Stateowned accommodation centres with 14,000 beds for asylum seekers will open by 2028.
Integration Minister Roderic O’gorman would not, however, outline how much it would cost to open these beds due to fear it could drive up prices when tenders for expressions of interest are opened.
The Government agreed a new “comprehensive accommodation strategy for International Protection applicants” at its Cabinet meeting yesterday. The plan had been long delayed and was expected to go to Cabinet several weeks ago.
Accommodation will be delivered through the use of State land for prefabricated and modular units, the conversion of commercial buildings and office buildings that are not being used, the purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties, the design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres and upgrading of IPAS centres. The Department of Integration has agreed to lease two locations from the HSE. This involves land in Crooksling, near Brittas in Dublin, and in Truder in Wicklow.
It is also examining the use of Thornton Hall, which is owned by the Department of Justice.
Mr O’gorman said the State has been too reliant on accommodation from the private sector and needs to “hold the reins”.
He said: “It’s clear that the current system of accommodation isn’t working. Since the current system was put in place more than 20 years ago, the State has been almost entirely reliant on private providers.
“That reliance on private providers, the difficulty in planning and managing and the lack of control over the location of accommodation are compounding the many issues that are now arising in relation to migration”.
Asked by the Irish Mirror how much the 14,000 beds would cost, Mr O’gorman said: “We’ll be going out to the market to build and also to buy, as soon as I give a figure, the price is going to rise to match that.”
Justice Minister Helen Mcentee, meanwhile, confirmed that Ireland will be opting into the new EU Migration pact.
It will oblige States to conduct enhanced screening and security checks on those arriving at borders and will also provide more effective ways for countries to cut down on secondary movement.
Between 50% to 70% of asylum seekers coming to Ireland are considered “secondary movements” where people have applied for or been granted asylum in another country.
It’s clear that the current system isn’t working
RODERIC O’GORMAN YESTERDAY