Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 763: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the procedures which were put in place by his Department to settle 20 non-national families in Dundalk, County Louth who were moved from Athlone; the other Departments which were informed of the move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10924/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, which operates under the aegis of the Department of Justice , Equality and Law Reform is a cross-departmental multi-agency organisation which has officers seconded to it from the Departments of Health and Children, Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Education and Science, Dublin City Council and the Health Service Executive so that services provided to asylum seekers accommodated by the agency can be delivered in a co-ordinated way.

On 10 March, residents in Athlone who were identified as suitable for transfer to self-catering were offered a transfer so as to facilitate refurbishment of the mobile homes on site. When the transfer offer was made, it was not possible to advise the residents of the location of the new accommodation as the RIA was in negotiation with proprietors of self-catering accommodation in various areas of the country and no contracts were yet in place. Subsequently, a contract was agreed between the RIA and the proprietor of Carroll Village which commenced on 29 March 2005 and residents who wished to move to Dundalk were facilitated. In accordance with normal practice, the RIA liaises with local agencies as required so as to support asylum seekers as they settle into new communities.