Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of asylum seekers accommodated in the town of Kiltimagh, County Mayo; and if he intends to locate a large number of single male asylum seekers in the town; and if so, the number approximately. [7815/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers and has a portfolio of 67 centres throughout the State for this purpose. In March 2005, a total of 8,080 asylum seekers were being accommodated by the RIA. Approximately 3,500 residents applied for leave to remain in the State under the Irish-born children or IBC measures announced on 17 December 2004. Almost all these residents have now left the RIA accommodation and, as of 17 February 2006, 4,917 asylum seekers were resident in accommodation centres. This drastic reduction in a relatively short space of time in the numbers requiring accommodation has led to a temporary over-supply of accommodation. In addition, the numbers and profile of persons seeking asylum has changed dramatically. There is now a larger number of single persons seeking asylum in the State as opposed to families and RIA accommodation must reflect this reality.

To address the reduction in numbers and the change in profile, the RIA embarked on a programme of downsizing of its accommodation portfolio. This is intended to bring supply and demand into balance and will include the re-classification of some of the accommodation centres to optimise usage and obtain value for money. This downsizing has seen a number of centre closures during 2005 — 15 centres with a combined capacity of 833 beds. To date in 2006, four centres with a combined capacity of approximately 270 beds have been closed and further closures or re-classifications are planned. Overall, the current downsizing has led to the closure of two accommodation centres in County Mayo. There are now only two centres remaining in the county, one of which is in Kiltimagh.

In the case of the centre in Kiltimagh, the RIA considered it to be suitable for possible re-classification from family to single person accommodation. The centre consists of two buildings, the Railway Hotel and an annexe located on the opposite side of the road, and it was intended to place males in one building and females in the other. As part of the reclassification of this centre, the RIA intended to relocate its families to other centres where they could benefit from special facilities for children and young people including pre-school facilities. The decision to re-classify the centre was made in early January 2006 and, following this, a number of support groups contacted the RIA on the matter.

At all times the RIA is concerned to minimise disruption to residents and the local community while maintaining its commitment to efficient and effective use of the overall accommodation portfolio. Following further consideration the RIA has recently agreed that the families residing at the centre will be allowed to remain there at least until the end of the current school year. However, arrangements are also being made to allow for the accommodation of some male asylum seekers at the centre. The RIA will shortly make up to ten placements in the annexe at this location and will monitor the arrangements on an ongoing basis. Discussions have taken place with various groups such as Irish Rural Development, Le Chéile Support Group, Intercultural Ireland (Castlebar) and St. Aidan's national school and we understand that there is now a greater acceptance of the proposed new arrangements.

The RIA has in its accommodation portfolio 17 male-only centres and no significant issues have arisen at these locations. In addition, the RIA has embarked on the re-classification of a portion of some of its larger family centres to accommodate single persons alongside families in Sligo, Meath and Monaghan. Such reclassifications are always carefully undertaken in consultation with relevant parties, especially the operators of the centre concerned.

Given the population base of the town of Kiltimagh and its environs and based on past experience, it is not considered likely that the re-classification of this centre will pose problems. In the middle of 2005, up to 80 asylum seekers were accommodated at this centre. However, owing to the outflow of asylum seekers from RIA accommodation centres, the numbers accommodated have now fallen to under half the number accommodated in 2005. These levels cannot be sustained in a centre of this size. Unless the RIA can make proper use of the accommodation centre, in line with its requirements, it will not be a viable economic proposition to continue the contract with the possible resultant loss of jobs and an indirect negative impact on the local economy. The RIA therefore intends to place more asylum seekers in the centre in the coming months to raise occupancy levels and ensure that the centre remains viable.