Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if self-catering accommodation in the Dublin area will be offered to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25482/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Reception and Integration Agency received a transfer request from the person mentioned in the question with supporting medical documentation requesting that she be transferred to an accommodation centre in Dublin in order to facilitate her attendance at the Rotunda Hospital. No reference was made in the supporting medical documentation to any medical requirements for the woman concerned to be accommodated in self-catering accommodation.

On the 24th of May, 2006, the Reception and Integration Agency offered the woman concerned a transfer to Newlight House, St Margaret's Road, Dublin 11. This offer of accommodation was refused. On the 2nd June, 2006, the Reception and Integration Agency made a further offer of accommodation at Balseskin Centre, St. Margaret's Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 to the woman. As previously outlined in previous questions to the house, there is a free and frequent bus service for Balseskin residents to the Rotunda Hospital and Dublin City Centre. She elected to decline this offer of accommodation also.

As this woman has been in direct provision for a period of over two years, she can be considered for placement in self-catering accommodation. However, the Reception and Integration has a limited supply of self-catering accommodation in its portfolio and there are currently a number of lone parents with children and families, who have been in direct provision for a period longer than her, awaiting placement at such centres. Accordingly the Reception and Integration Agency will contact her when a suitable vacancy becomes available.

The Reception and Integration Agency has also forwarded the medical documentation submitted in relation to this case to an independent medical referee who will assess whether there is a medical requirement for the woman concerned to be accommodated in self-catering accommodation. The Reception and Integration Agency will contact her when it has received the findings of the medical referee.