The Government has terminated its contract with the provider of the IPAS Centre in George’s Street that was set on fire on Halloween.
The Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan informed local Labour TD Ged Nash of the decision in reply to a written Dail parliamentary question.
It emerged that the owner was informed of the decision on October 29 last and the cessation came into effect on November 30.
Two men have appeared before the courts in the past 24 hours charged in relation to an arson attack on the building.
A total of 28 refugees had stayed on the premises and have since been moved to alternative accommodation.
The Minister for Justice , Home Affairsand Integration said:”I can advise the Deputy that my Department informed this provider that the Department would terminate the relevant contract on 29 October and that this would come into effect with its cessation on 30 November 2025.
” In relation to payments made to this provider, there is full transparency from the Department in terms of providers receiving payments, with details of all payments over €20,000 and the recipients published quarterly online at Gov.ie. Purchase Orders for €20,000 or above. Payments to this provider are included in these public reports.
” As the Deputy will be aware, extensive challenges were posed to the State in sourcing international protection accommodation during an unprecedented surge in applications from 2022 to 2024.
“During this period, over 45,000 additional international protection applicants arrived in Ireland. Prior to this, a typical 3-year period would have seen close to 8,000 or 9,000 arrivals.”
Mr O Callaghan confirmed that due to the recent reduction in the numbers seeking international protection, the State is now in a position to begin regularising the accommodation portfolio and increasing the number of state-owned beds.
He added: “The Department continues to appraise the portfolio of existing accommodation with a view to consolidation where possible, along with better governance and compliance.
” While commissioning emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be necessary in the short to medium term, it is being contracted on a short-term basis, which enables the State to decommission this capacity with agility as contracts expire or demand fluctuates.”
