David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 189: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the role of his Department in ensuring that asylum seekers do not suffer poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37623/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Asylum seekers who apply to the Irish State for recognition as a refugee under the Geneva Convention are provided with all basic needs to ensure that they do not suffer poverty.

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is charged with responsibility to provide accommodation for asylum seekers while their asylum application is being processed. In discharging this task, the RIA ensures that no asylum seeker residing in their accommodation centres suffers from poverty. Contractual arrangements provide for the day to day needs of asylum seekers, some of which are listed below:

Asylum seekers residing in RIA accommodation centres have household bills in relation to the following:

Rent

heating (maintained at 20 degrees Celsius),

electricity,

lighting or

food (including baby food, where required, and school lunches), provided to the resident free of charge under the contract.

Asylum seekers are provided with packs containing personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, etc), which are replenished and replaced as and when required — free of charge.

Asylum seekers also receive cleaning materials such as washing detergent and general household cleaners if they wish to clean their own rooms / bathrooms — free of charge.

Where an asylum seeker chooses not to clean his/her room themselves, a cleaning service is provided by the accommodation centre — free of charge.

A laundry service is available to residents at all accommodation centres — free of charge.

Towels and bed linen are provided; replaced when required (but at least on a weekly basis); and laundered for asylum seekers — free of charge.

All bedrooms are provided with televisions, which receive, as a minimum, RTE 1; Network 2; TV3; TG4; BBC 1; BBC 2; ITV and Channel 4 — free of charge.

Crèche facilities are available at a number of accommodation centres, which enable residents to avail of language and other classes — free of charge.

Medical and educational services are accessed by asylum seekers on the same basis as the indigenous population. However, all asylum seekers are automatically registered for receipt of a medical card and this ensures that there is no medical expenditure falling on the asylum seeker and their families.

Exceptional needs payments such as payments in respect of school uniforms and for any needs arising from the birth of a new baby (i.e., prams/ buggies, etc) are generally provided through the Community Welfare Officer (CWO).

In addition, asylum seekers also receive a weekly amount of €19.10 per adult and €9.60 per child, also through the CWO.