COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 09, 2026

QUESTION NO. 2

QUESTION: Councillor L. de Courcy

To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed report on the International Refugee Resettlement Programme (IRPP) that includes: an overview of the scheme and its objectives, the date the scheme commenced in South Dublin and the number of properties allocated under the scheme to date.

REPLY:

The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established in 2015 to coordinate Ireland’s commitments to international refugee protection. The programme provides a structured national approach to receiving refugees through UNHCR-led resettlement initiatives, EU relocation mechanisms, and community-based sponsorship models. Its core objective is to support refugees in transitioning safely and sustainably into community life through coordinated inter-agency support, appropriate housing provision, and access to public services.

Since its establishment, the Programme has operated in successive phases. IRPP II was approved in 2019 and provides for the resettlement of up to 2,900 refugees. The current phase, IRPP III (2024–2027), commits Ireland to welcoming 2,400 refugees under UNHCR resettlement and a further 200 individuals through the Humanitarian Admissions Programme.

Under the national allocation model, local authorities are assigned resettlement quotas and are responsible for identifying suitable accommodation and coordinating local integration supports. Fourteen local authorities have been activated under the IRPP to date, with further authorities expected to come on stream on a phased basis, taking account of capacity and existing service pressures, including BOTP/IP numbers.

The IRPP has not yet commenced in South Dublin County Council, and as such, no properties have been allocated under the scheme in the South Dublin area to date.