Minister to look at housing availability for refugees Updated / Wednesday, 5 May 2021 19:52 Social Affairs & Religion Correspondent The Minister with responsibility for ending direct provision will meet with city and county managers this week, to discuss the availability of services for international protection applicants. As part of the plan to end the system, local authorities will play a role in locating housing which Minister Roderic O'Gorman's Department aims to start buying and repurposing this year. Under the International Protection Support Service announced earlier this year, people who are applying for protection will be helped to integrate into Ireland from day one, with health, housing, education, and employment supports at the core of the system.