John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the annual cost of the lease of a building (details supplied) in County Mayo; the length of the lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26694/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is charged with two sets of responsibilities (1) to accommodate asylum seekers while their applications for asylum are processed and (2) to develop, drive and coordinate integration policy across other Government departments, agencies and services for all legally resident migrants and to coordinate the Government's resettlement programme.

In fulfilling its responsibilities in respect of the accommodation of asylum seekers, the RIA does not 'lease' premises from commercial contractors. Rather it 'contracts-in' a comprehensive range of services, which include accommodation, catering, housekeeping, etc., for a fixed period of time. The RIA endeavours to achieve the best value for money in relation to such contracts, in respect of which negotiations can take place with a number of commercial entities. It is not in the interests of the taxpayer that details of individual contracts are made known both to the public and to other parties who are, or may be in the future, engaged in negotiations with the RIA.

I am therefore unable to provide, in respect of the premises cited in the question, the detailed financial information requested by the Deputy, as its release could negatively affect the competitive position of the State. I can confirm, however, that the rates are within the normal range of €189-255 per person per week (pppw) for direct provision centres. The current contract at the premises will expire on 19 January, 2010.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the annual cost of the lease of a building (details supplied) in County Mayo; the length of the lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26695/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is charged with two sets of responsibilities (1) to accommodate asylum seekers while their applications for asylum are processed and (2) to develop, drive and coordinate integration policy across other Government departments, agencies and services for all legally resident migrants and to coordinate the Government's resettlement programme.

In fulfilling its general accommodation responsibilities, the RIA does not 'lease' premises from commercial contractors. Rather it 'contracts-in' a comprehensive range of services, which include accommodation, catering, housekeeping, etc., for a fixed period of time. The RIA endeavours to achieve the best value for money in relation to such contracts, in respect of which negotiations can take place with a number of commercial entities. It is not in the interests of the taxpayer that details of individual contracts are made known both to the public and to other parties who are, or may be in the future, engaged in negotiations with the RIA.

I am therefore unable to provide, in respect of the premises cited in the question, the detailed financial information requested by the Deputy, as its release could negatively affect the competitive position of the State. I can confirm, however, that the rates are within the normal range of €133-165 per person per week (pppw) for self catering centres The current contract at the premises will expire on 27 August, 2010.

It is important to record here that the premises in question are specifically in fulfilment of RIA's integration function. The building does not accommodate asylum seekers. Rather, it is an Orientation Centre for Programme Refugees used to temporarily accommodate and provide facilities for such refugees. Refugees receive health screening and a cultural orientation programme on a range of topics such as household and money management, law and order, child welfare, the education system, how to access services and so on, all of which are designed to prepare them for independent living. Children attend a short course to prepare them for entry into mainstream education. This programme has been put in place following consultation with previously resettled refugees and service providers.