John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the date on which the decision was taken to close a hostel (details supplied) in County Kilkenny for use as accommodation for asylum seekers and refugees; the reason for the decision; if the residents were consulted; the way in which and when the residents were advised of the decision; the number of residents affected; if the residents will be moved to the same location on closure or to a number of different locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36546/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The reception and integration agency is charged with providing quality accommodation which promotes the well being of all asylum seekers and decisions regarding the reassignment or closure of centres are made in the context of the overall demand for accommodation.

As considerable numbers of asylum seekers have left accommodation having received leave to remain in the State on the basis of having an Irish born child, the agency undertook a major review of its accommodation needs. It is incumbent on the agency to seek to make the best use of its accommodation resources, to provide the best value for money and to seek to provide the accommodation in a sensitive, balanced and proportionate way.

Resulting from the review, and in the absence of evidence from the contractor that he was in possession of a lease for the centre which would permit agency to consider extending the contract, it indicated to him on 18 November 2005, in compliance with its contractual obligations, that it did not intend to renew the contract beyond its expiry date of 18 January 2006.

The contractor has since responded to the agency's letter of 18 November 2005 indicating that he is now in possession of a lease for the premises. The agency has accordingly entered into further discussions with him about the possibility of an extension of the contract in this case. It is anticipated that a decision in the matter will be forthcoming in the near future, following which all stake-holders will be informed of the outcome.