Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 239: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the moneys spent on the development of Balseskin Reception Centre, Finglas, Dublin 11; the status of the reception centre; his plans for the future of the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35350/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Arising from an EU tender in January 2001, Balseskin was developed by a private company as a reception centre for asylum seekers. The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) has remunerated the company on a fixed rate basis since that time and the total value of the contract to date is €20,865,951. Balseskin Reception Centre currently operates as a reception centre providing reception facilities, including access to voluntary medical screening, for asylum seekers newly arrived into the State. I understand from the RIA that the Agency is currently in negotiations with the contractors at Balseskin in relation to the renewal of the contract.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 240: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Balseskin Reception Centre operated as a refugee reception centre without an appropriate fire certificate being in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35351/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Under Section 6(b)(iv) of S.I. 496 (Building Control Regulations) 1997, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is exempted from the requirement to obtain a fire certificate. Notwithstanding this exemption, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) includes in all contracts requirements that the contractor comply, at all times, with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, and in particular with the requirements of the Local Authority Fire Officer. The contractors are also obliged to provide, annually, to the Office of Public Works (OPW) written confirmation of the OPW requirements regarding fire certification together with evidence of ongoing, independent, third party fire certification.

In this regard, and before the initial contract at Balseskin started, the contractors treated this requirement as if it was an application to the local authority for a fire safety certificate and lodged all appropriate drawings and plans with the OPW. The contractor has at all times since complied with the obligation to provide, annually, to the OPW written confirmation of the OPW requirements regarding fire certification together with evidence of ongoing, independent, third party fire certification.

The RIA actively monitors the status of fire certification on all contracts. Contractors are penalised where failure to comply with the requirements of the Local Authority Fire Officer leads to loss of capacity at, or closure (however temporary) of, the centre. Failure to comply with the OPW requirements leads to the automatic suspension of payments under the contract.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the nature of instructions issued by his Department in relation to the development of Balseskin Reception Centre on foot of interest from the Health Service Executive in converting the property into a long term care facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35352/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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My Department has issued no instructions in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy. When the prospect arose of the centre in question being used by the HSE for step-down beds, my Department advised the Department of Health and Children that it would make available a senior staff member to facilitate the health authorities in exploring that particular option. This was done, but in the event, ultimately the HSE decided not to proceed with the use of the centre for that purpose.