Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in view of the closing of the North Quay Place immigration centre in Cork, consideration will be given to individual circumstances when deciding where individuals are relocated, for example prior enrolment for university courses in Cork city. [28468/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The reception and integration agency is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers through the policy of dispersal and direct provision. The agency seeks to meet its obligations regarding the accommodation of asylum seekers in a sensitive, balanced and proportionate way and maintains a spread of centres throughout the country. The agency monitors its accommodation on an ongoing basis, having regard to accommodation demand.

In light of the recent reduction in numbers requiring accommodation, the agency contacted a number of proprietors, whose contracts were due to expire, to indicate that it was not in a position to offer any follow-on contracts. The contract for the accommodation centre at North Quay Place expired on 18 September 2005 and all the residents were relocated to other accommodation centres on a phased basis between 4 August 2005 and 14 September 2005.

In deciding where to relocate asylum seekers, account is taken of individual circumstances including medical, family, child welfare and education concerns, where such circumstances are made known to the reception and integration agency. In the case of the North Quay Place accommodation centre, there were a limited number of vacancies available in the Cork area and it was not possible to facilitate all requests to remain in Cork city. However, among those relocated from the centre, a total of 65 asylum seekers were re-accommodated in Cork city and surrounding areas and a further 49 were re-accommodated in centres in Cork county.

I understand that the Deputy is referring to a specific former resident of North Quay Place accommodation centre who was given a placement in self-catering accommodation in Dublin. This person had registered for a course in University College Cork and has since been accommodated by the agency at a centre in Cork city in order to facilitate him in this regard.