Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has issued an order prohibiting a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny from providing advice and assistance to refugees and asylum seekers in the Ormond Hostel, John's Green, County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9621/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, operates under the aegis of my Department and is responsible for the provision of accommodation and services to asylum seekers under the system of direct provision. Persons from approximately 120 different nationalities are resident in centres operated by the RIA which encourages the establishment of support groups to assist asylum seekers to adjust to life in this country in the dispersed locations where they are accommodated. A number of such groups currently operate in Kilkenny and provide valuable assistance to asylum seekers.

The individual referred to in the question is not prohibited from providing advice and assistance to asylum seekers residing in the Ormond Hostel accommodation centre. However, in the overall interests of the harmonious operation of this particular centre, it was decided that it would be preferable if the person in question did not have access to the facility.