Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The question appears to imply that asylum seekers are not free to leave state accommodation centres. That is not so. Asylum seekers are not prisoners. They are free to leave such centres, or opt not to avail of the facilities that lie therein from their day of arrival in the state.

However, there is an obligation on asylum seekers to keep the relevant authorities, namely, the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Office of the Refugee Appeal Tribunal, informed of their current address.

In relation to under aged minors, their accommodation is not the responsibility of my Department, but of the Health Service Executive. Any question which the Deputy may wish to raise on this matter should be put to the Minister for Health and Children.

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