Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate that there is a challenge in respect of numbers on the basis that the total expected number for the end of the year will be approximately 3,500. That presents us with a challenge. As a result of the ongoing demand increase, six new accommodation centres opened this year providing 567 spaces. Centres were opened in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare; County Westmeath; Monasterevin, County Kildare; Abbeyleix, County Laois, Mallow, County Cork; and Kenmare, County Kerry. New centres are being planned to open in Moville, Donegal, and Wicklow.

The hotels to which the Chairman referred, other than the ones mentioned, to my knowledge would involve a form of temporary and emergency accommodation. I do not have any knowledge of the subcontracting arrangement to which he referred. The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, has published calls for expressions of interest a number of times this year, having regard to the increased demands. The response to such expressions involve a visit from members of the agency, and an assessment of all of the offers, the standards of accommodation and the ability to provide the type of services that are important in the areas of education, health and sports and recreation. This is the manner of the challenge. Having regard to the increase in numbers, I expect that there will be a further round of expressions of interest shortly. There are minimum standards and they raise an element of local consultation, often with local public representatives. Every effort is made to ensure comforts and basic requirements of those seeking international protection are fully met. However, entry into the direct provision system, while not ideal in many circumstances, is not compulsory.