Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Tá mé thar bheith buíoch gur tháinig sé isteach chun an cheist seo a phlé. The matter relates to the direct provision system and the accommodation provided through the Department of Justice and Equality for people seeking refugee status. Throughout the State, hotels, hostels, caravan parks and so on are used to house people in this position and that is done in most cases through private contractors who are given a contract by the Department through the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, to provide accommodation, food, etc. The question I have relates to the ministerial orders that are needed because if a building has been granted planning permission as a hotel, hostel or holiday camp and refugee accommodation is provided, that represents a change of use. My understanding is ministerial orders would have been necessary to permit these buildings to be used for a different purpose, particularly housing people seeking refugee status. If the ministerial orders providing exemptions for these buildings have been given, when was the last order made? Has the Minister checked with his counterpart in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that the facility for using a ministerial order in this way to change planning permission is still in place or have planning regulations been amended to ensure companies can use these buildings for this purpose as opposed to the purpose laid down for them? I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter.