Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On direct provision, the outturn for the Reception and Integration Agency was over €67 million which reflected the increase in the number of persons applying for protection in the State and also the number of persons who continued to live in State provided accommodation. It is, of course, after a steady decline in the years 2008 to 2014, inclusive. In 2017 the allocation was €66 million and the outturn was €67 million. I am sure Deputies will accept the fact that there is an ebb and flow in asylum seekers requiring accommodation and that it is very difficult to predict with certainty how much accommodation might be required. At the end of 2016 there were 4,425 people in RIA accommodation. By the end of 2017 that number had risen to over 5,000. The increase in demand has continued in the past few months and we continue to monitor the position. However, the sum provided is indicative of the requirement this year.