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The Journal
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Minister to bring forward plans to purchase Dublin's Citywest Hotel
JUSTICE MINISTER JIM O'Callaghan is to bring forward proposals to purchase the Citywest Hotel in Dublin for asylum-seeker accommodation. The minister got Cabinet approval today to extend the use of the hotel for international protection and Ukrainian applicants for another three months, until the start of September. This will cost an estimated €17 million to cover lease of the facilities and the provision of services. Along with the proposal to purchase the 764-bedroom hotel, a detailed value for money appraisal will be brought to government shortly. Advertisement There is ongoing engagement between the minister's Department and the Department of Public Expenditure on the details of the planned purchase of the facility. The move to purchase the hotel comes as the Department of Justice stepped back from contentious plans to convert the site of the former Crown Paints in Coolock to Ipas accommodation. The site had been at the centre of many protests – some of which turned violent. The Citywest Transit Hub is used to provide emergency stay-over facilities for approximately 400-450 IP applicants and separately accommodation for 1,350 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Need more clarity and context on how migration is being discussed in Ireland? Check out our new FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online. Visit Knowledge Bank Related Reads Gary Gannon: Fear is what drives immigration protests in neglected communities, not hatred Anti-immigration picket over refugee accommodation sparks tensions in Dublin's Liberties Opinion: Irish people being against immigration is like Brazilian people being against football Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Extra.ie
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
State adds more than 700 new beds to International Protection system
There has been a net increase of more than 700 beds added to the International Protection system this year. The rise has come as the State tries to clamp down on the number of applications for protection, new figures show. The State currently accommodates more than 33,000 people in over 320 accommodation sites. Around 9,400 are children. There has been a net increase of more than 700 beds added to the International Protection system this year. Pic: Getty Images In August 2021, the State was accommodating approximately 7,000 people, meaning the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) have had to increase capacity by almost 400%. Currently, over 90% of all IPAS accommodation is provided commercially. In response to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan confirmed the rise in beds. He said: 'In 2025, eight IPAS accommodation contracts have been terminated to date, accounting for approximately 140 bed spaces. I am informed that reasons for termination can vary, but can include non-compliance with contractual terms or with regulatory requirements like building and fire regulations, or planning matters. In the same period, 12 new IPAS accommodation contracts have been agreed, accounting for capacity of up to 848 bed spaces.' Gary Gannon. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos This means the State has added 708 extra beds into the system so far this year. Mr O'Callaghan said all offers of emergency accommodation were appraised by a dedicated team according to a range of factors. 'These include the site and its potential, value for money to the State, due diligence on the provider, and planning and regulatory matters,' the Fianna Fáil TD added. Jim O'Callaghan. Pic: Leah Farrell/ 'Consideration is also given to the location and locality, access to services and health, wellbeing and security factors.' He said the shift to more state-owned accommodation would align with 'wider reforms of the immigration system' under the EU Migration Pact to be implemented by summer 2026. 'The reforms being progressed should serve to support the protection of applicants' rights through the process, and avoid the need for very prolonged stays in temporary accommodation centres,' the minister said. There is also a push to increase the proportion of accommodation provided on State-owned sites. The development of a sustainable accommodation system over the coming months and years is designed to reduce reliance on commercial providers over time.
Irish Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Bunk beds purchased to deal with prison overcrowding
Bunk beds are being purchased for prisons as part of an attempt to deal with record overcrowding , which led to more than 350 inmates sleeping on mattresses on cell floors. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan told the Dáil it was 'extremely important' that prison overcrowding is addressed and that bunk beds were among the measures being used to improve the situation for inmates. More than 5,300 prisoners were in custody earlier this month, with 358 people sleeping on floors because of the lack of beds, according to the Irish Prison Service. The Minister said capacity 'across the prison estate' has increased by more than 300 spaces since 2022. He said 134 of these were delivered in the past 12 months 'and more than 100 additional spaces will be added this year'. READ MORE He said the issue is 'a priority for me' and that he plans to visit every prison in the State. Speaking during justice questions, he said he would change the law around community service orders and increase the maximum number of hours that can be imposed from 240 to 480. He also said he would introduce electronic monitoring 'particularly in respect of remand prisoners'. Mr O'Callaghan was replying to Social Democrats justice spokesman Gary Gannon , who pointed out that 'hundreds of people are sleeping on floors' in prisons. He noted that the number of prisoners who died in custody increased from 20 in 2023 to 31 last year. Mr Gannon said that in many cases prison conditions 'are nothing short of Dickensian' due to overcrowding and that is a 'serious failing of our criminal justice infrastructure'. [ Head of Irish Prison Service defends surge in number of prisoners being released early Opens in new window ] The Dublin Central TD acknowledged that certain cases should result in prison sentences but 'right now, prisons are filled with people serving short sentences for petty, non-violent crimes'. Mr O'Callghan told him that as part of measures to lead to 'decarceration' he proposes to amend the 1983 Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act. He said judges currently have to consider a community service order if a sentence of up to one year could be imposed. 'I am going to extend that so that when a court is considering a sentence which carries a penalty of up to two years, the court must also consider a community service order,' he said. The Minister he would not be 'going down the route taken in England and Wales' to release serious offenders at a very early stage to deal with overcrowding. Mr Gannon called for an audit 'of who exactly the people are in our prisons'. 'What we have at the moment is a conveyor belt of people who, for various reasons, usually addiction, go into our prisons, sleep on floors and continue that addiction.' Mr O'Callaghan agreed that 'many of the people who are given prison sentences have addiction issues and chaotic lives'. He said judges sometimes give prison sentences because they think 'individuals can get some mandatory services provided to them there'.
Dublin Live
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Dublin Live
Closure of Grafton Street toilets 'makes no sense' and another sign of 'creeping decline' of Dublin city
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The closure of the public toilets at the top of Grafton Street "makes no sense" and is another sign of the "creeping decline" of Dublin city. That's according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon, who has labelled the decision to close Dublin city centre's only public toilets as a "short-sighted move" that shows "there is zero innovation from a government that's always reactive and never proactive". It emerged on Friday that Dublin City Council is planning to remove the public bathrooms facility located near St Stephen's Green due to a combination of reduced demand and the current operator ceasing trading. The toilets, which came into operation in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, costs close to €400,000-a-year to run and are used by around 1,500 people a week, according to a DCC report set to be presented to Councillors on Monday. Dublin Central TD Gannon said the decision to close the facility ahead of the busy summer months "makes no sense whatsoever." "The need for public facilities is about to spike - more people will be out enjoying the city, attending events and making use of our parks," Deputy Gannon said. "We should be adding toilets, not taking them away. 'We've seen this same story play out again and again: an unwillingness to plan ahead; an allergy to practical public investment; and a government that doesn't understand how cities actually work. 'This isn't just about one toilet at the top of Grafton Street — it's about the wider issue of how we design public spaces. People deserve free, clean, accessible toilets in parks, at transport hubs and in city centres. That's not too much to ask. 'What this latest decision tells us is that there's no joined-up thinking and no understanding of how people use public spaces. And once again, there is zero innovation from a government that's always reactive and never proactive. 'We need to halt the creeping decline of our capital and start investing in infrastructure that actually serves the public. Public toilets may not be flashy, but they're essential. Every person in this city deserves to be treated with a bit more dignity.' Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Independent
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
‘I took drugs when I was younger,' admits Dáil's new drug reform chair, TD Gary Gannon
The new chair of the Dáil's committee on drug reform, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon, has revealed that he took a variety of drugs in his early 20s.
