EXPLAINER: What's happening at Kilkenny IPAS accommodation centre?

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has commenced the use of River View House on the Dublin Road in Kilkenny City to provide temporary shelter to people applying for International Protection.

28 beds will be provided for people seeking refuge in Ireland who are International Protection Applicants in River View House.

According to the Department, "The property is owned by International Systems & Equipment Ltd and White Sands Consultancy on a 48-month lease. White Sands Consultancy Ltd is operating the site with staff on-site 24 hours a day and there will be a manager and/or security staff on site at all times. The company have previous experience in the provision of accommodation centres for IPAS."

READ NEXT - TD calls for 'intervention' after Kilkenny building converted into IPAS accommodation centre

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will manage the arrival of people into this centre.

It is not possible to say with certainty what the length of stay will be having regard to the number of IP applicants arriving in Ireland and the scarcity of alternative accommodation. A one-year contract has been signed with the provider.

All statutory requirements relating to the establishment and management of emergency accommodation are being met by the service provider, including health and safety, fire, building regulations and other requirements.

Accommodation consists of 14 rooms with two single beds in each room and there are sufficient numbers of bathrooms at the required ratios.

There will be a self-catering service provided on this site and residents will be provided with a weekly voucher or debit card for a local shop.

There will be a general manager, duty manager, cleaner and two security staff. There will be security staff present 24/7 and there is also CCTV in place.

IP applicants may avail of English language classes through their local Education and Training Board (ETB).

An adult resident receives an allowance of €38.80 per week.

Other assistance from the Department of Social Protection, such as bus fares to attend appointments, is available at the discretion of the local Community Welfare Officer.

Adults are entitled to work in Ireland after six months.

IPAS carries out resident clinics at all new and existing accommodation locations to communicate with residents and works closely with the HSE.

International protection applicants are entitled to access mainstream health services.

IPAS works with a number of Non-Governmental Organisations who provide support to residents in the form of clinics, and there is a Department of Children, Education, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) funded confidential NGO-run helpline to assist with any queries that residents may have as well as an IPAS Helpdesk manned by Department officials.

International protection applicant (IPAs) are not entitled to apply for or avail of social housing or the Housing Assistance Payment while their claim for asylum is being determined by the International Protection Office (IPO).

If an international protection applicant (IPA) has somewhere else to live in Ireland such as with a friend, spouse or family member they may do so.

If an IPA does not have somewhere to live and needs to be accommodated by the Irish State, for the duration of their application for asylum with the International Protection Office (IPO), they will be accommodated in an International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre.

International Protection applicants with permission to access the labour market can avail of Intreo (the Public Employment Service) supports and services.

Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses are also often focused on directly developing skills for employment and applicants are provided access will also be provided to employer networks to make applicants aware of available opportunities and to raise
employer awareness of applicants’ skills and qualifications.

Under the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), the Government, through the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), is legally required to provide accommodation to international protection applicants who seek it, while their claim for international protection is being determined by the Department of Justice.

When people seeking International Protection arrive in Ireland, they make themselves known to relevant authorities to formally seek this status.

They are then transferred to a number of designated accommodation centres as their application is processed.

In the last six months there has been an average of 560 people seeking accommodation every week.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE