Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

InThe Irish Timesyesterday there was a story by Kitty Holland to the effect that the largest direct provision centre in Dublin is to close at the beginning of December because the company that manages it has given notice of its intention to cease that contract. This is the third direct provision centre in Dublin to close this year. A total of 357 people have been staying in this accommodation. These are asylum seekers with families and young children who, in the case in Clondalkin, are in school in the community, in Deputy Curran's constituency. They have all taken great risks to get to safety here in Ireland. Now they are left with no information or idea about their accommodation. This is causing great anxiety to the children and their families and the wider community that these families are part of. Eighty of the people affected in Clondalkin already have refugee status and they will seek rental accommodation in the private sector. Given their limited means, however, they will have very little hope of securing that kind of accommodation over the course of two months.

The way this is being managed is appalling. Surely sensitivity and notice could have been extended to these families. Alternative accommodation could have been made available, or sought, prior to the public announcement of this, and prior to the communication to the families. When was the Department of Justice and Equality informed that the contract was to be discontinued? What plans are in place for the asylum seekers and their children, particularly those children in schools in the community? According to the report, the Department of Justice and Equality will meet the management of the centre this week. Why has it taken so long to meet the management and can the Taoiseach confirm that alternative accommodation will be put in place?

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