David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to point out that the State has a legal obligation to provide reception conditions to applicants for international protection, including, where requested, bed and board. The use of emergency accommodation is an interim measure while the Reception and Integration Agency seeks to assist those with status - we have over 700 with status - in assessing mainstream housing in partnership with NGOs such as Depaul and the Peter McVerry Trust on a pilot basis.

We are endeavouring to end emergency accommodation. We are working hard to assist the more than 700 people who have status to move out of the accommodation centres, which will free up those beds. I do not have the date on which this started but it is done on an emergency basis. The RIA contracts beds as they become necessary and as the demand arises. It is demand-led and, unfortunately, that is the position we are in.

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