Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 437: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in relation to accommodation for asylum seekers recently acquired in County Laois, he will satisfy himself that all appropriate health, education and welfare concerns are being met; the intended numbers being accommodated; the maximum number that may be accommodated; the number of children involved; the schools in which the children have been enrolled; the tuition and educational facilities that will be available; the nature of the health services being offered; the location from which general practitioner services will be acquired; the transport, sport and leisure facilities that are envisaged; if he has satisfied himself that the location is appropriate having regard to the fact that there are no services whatsoever within walking distance of this rural establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26914/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), which operates under the aegis of my Department has responsibility, inter alia, for meeting the accommodation and related ancillary needs of asylum seekers under the Government policy of Direct Provision and dispersal. In this regard, the RIA is currently providing accommodation for 6,366 asylum seekers in 61 centres located across 22 counties.

The centre at the Hotel Montague, Emo, Co. Laois, has a contract capacity for 200 persons — or approximately 50-55 families. Its current occupancy is 83 persons and it is anticipated that full capacity will soon be achieved at this centre.

The provision and resourcing of statutory services such as health, social welfare, education and so forth to asylum seekers are matters, in the first instance, for the relevant Government Departments and the agencies operating under their aegis. In that regard the RIA is a multi-disciplinary, cross agency, body with staff seconded to it from a number of Departments and agencies — Department of Health and Children, Department of Education and Science, Department of Environment and Local Government, Dublin City Council, HSE and the Irish Red Cross — so as to coordinate service delivery to asylum seekers at local level and to liaise with local statutory service providers and the appropriate Government Departments.

The opening of any new centre will place demands on local service providers and it is natural that concerns should be expressed. This has been the case with many of the centres referred to above, including those in a rural location similar to this centre, and these concerns have abated over a short period of time. As with those other centres, RIA immediately facilitated an inter-agency meeting with all relevant State service providers to discuss the issues involved. This took place at the centre on 25 October, 2007. RIA staff, including those seconded to it as referred to above, have fed back to the respective service providing authorities the concerns raised at that meeting. Considerable progress has been made already in relation to service provision and work in this area will intensify over the coming weeks.

All asylum seekers are entitled to access health services under the medical card scheme and discussions are ongoing with the relevant health service providers to facilitate the provision of the necessary services to the asylum seekers at the centre. RIA is cognisant of the potential impact on the local community of this centre and to minimise it, a dedicated space has been made available within the centre to enable the Community Welfare Officer to discharge his/her functions in respect of asylum seekers. A separate medical area has also been made available for the use of the general practitioner who will operate at the centre. This area is also at the disposal of the Public Health Nurse who will visit the centre as required.

Immigrant children, including children of asylum seekers, are entitled to primary and post primary education. Education in Ireland is compulsory from age six to sixteen years. It is not possible at this stage to quantify the number of children who will ultimately reside at the centre, as this will depend entirely on the composition of families seeking asylum. School enrolment is at an early stage and the RIA is actively engaged with the appropriate State service providers.

The centre operates a seven-day bus service which will take residents to nearby Portlaoise where they can access services usually available in large urban areas. This bus will operate on an almost hourly basis between 8.30 a.m. and 4.15 p.m., Monday to Friday, seven outward and six inward journeys . A more restricted service of four journeys to and from the centre will be in place on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. In addition, residents can avail of the local Bus Éireann service from Portlaoise to Dublin, a private bus contractor service from the centre to Dublin, and the Iarnród Eireann rail service from Portlaoise or Monasterevin to Dublin.

The following indoor facilities are already available to residents at the centre:

Children's play area

Children's creche (currently operated on a cooperative basis by the parents)

Children's TV / DVDs / Videos / computer games

Adult-only area with tea / coffee facilities

Pool table

Residents' computer area with internet access

Large multichannel TV in communal area with DVD player available

A number of pieces of recreational equipment, table soccer and table tennis will be available at the centre shortly.

The following outdoor facilities are available (or shortly will be available) to residents at the centre:

Large children's outdoor playground currently in preparation with climbing frames, slides, swings, playhouse, etc., and outdoor seating for parental supervision (equipment on-site but landscaping not yet completed).

Large garden area

Outdoor basketball Tarmac court (surface in place, equipment due)

Outdoor football Tarmac area

Outdoor sheltered smoking area.

The RIA is also aware that the nearby Emo Court estate offers outstanding opportunities for walks of various lengths suitable for a range of fitness levels. In addition, the soon to be completed Portlaoise Town Adventure Park will offer excellent opportunities for asylum seeker children to interact in a play environment with Irish and other children. The RIA further understands that the centre will shortly be the venue for a 'welcome' meeting between the centre residents and local representatives and amenity providers.