Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The figures I have been given show that in 2012 the Department spent €63.5 million on direct provision. My question regarding NAMA arises from the fact that properties in NAMA are ostensibly State-owned properties. If any of the companies contracted by the RIA to provide accommodation to asylum seekers are under the aegis of NAMA, are we not simply giving moneys from one arm of the State to another? In those circumstances, surely a deal could be done which would save money for the State, which saving could then be used to fast-forward the asylum applications process and so on. Will the Minister comment on this?