Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has confirmed that the State is in possession of 35 residential homes designated for asylum seeker accommodation, saying he has “no intention of procuring more homes.”
Speaking during an exchange with Gript today, the Fianna Fáil Minister said the properties had been purchased by the Department of Children in 2022 and 2023, but added that he did not believe all of them were currently occupied.
O’Callaghan was questioned after Gript previously reported earlier this month that the Department had confirmed the existence of 35 residential properties owned by the State for use by people seeking international protection.
Asked how the policy could be justified amid the housing crisis, the Minister said the homes had already been purchased by the State several years ago.
“Well, in terms of those 35 homes, they were homes that were purchased by the Department of Children,” O’Callaghan said.
“I think it was back in 2022, 2023. I don’t have any intention of procuring more homes.”
The Minister also disputed the suggestion that all of the properties were currently occupied.
“I’m not, don’t think it’s correct to say all of them are occupied at present,” he continued.
“But they were properties that were purchased previously and can be used for the benefit of people seeking international protection.”
O’Callaghan also said that residential homes were not his preferred method of accommodating people arriving into Ireland through the international protection system.
“But it’s not the method that I want to see people accommodated if they’re coming to Ireland seeking international protection,” he said.
“The appropriate mechanism for accommodation is in larger centres.”
“We can’t be in the business of providing houses to people who are seeking international protection.”
As reported by Gript earlier this month, the Department previously confirmed that the 35 residential properties were intended for “in-community accommodation” where larger group settings were considered unsuitable.
According to the Department’s statement at the time, the homes were being used to accommodate “very vulnerable residents”.
The issue first arose publicly following reports concerning a property in the Forgehill estate in Stamullen, Co Meath, which had been designated for use by applicants for international protection.
Local residents had raised concerns after learning the house was intended for IPAS accommodation, while community representatives were invited to meetings with the Department’s Community Engagement Team regarding the development.
The earlier Gript report also noted claims from local representatives that the nearby Stadalt House accommodation centre in Stamullen was housing around 20 families.
The Department’s confirmation that residential homes had been purchased by the State for international protection accommodation prompted wider discussion online regarding housing supply and the use of residential properties during the ongoing housing crisis in Ireland.