Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the annual cost of operating the asylum centre in Ballaghadereen, County Roscommon in each year since it opened; the corresponding number of persons being accommodated; the breakdown of the budget into various categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28187/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is charged with, inter alia, responsibility for the accommodation of asylum seekers while their applications for asylum are processed.

The centre in Ballaghadereen was first contracted to the RIA for the accommodation of asylum seekers on 13 July, 2004 for an initial period of 20 weeks, after which the contract was renewed. The current contract will expire on 6 July, 2009 when its future as an asylum centre will be reassessed. The centre has a capacity for 86 persons and the occupancy at week ending 2 October 2007 was 67. In some instances it is not possible to have full occupancy due to family configuration; for example, a family of three occupying rooms that could accommodate four or five. Aside from this non-occupancy arising from family configuration, there are also seven spaces currently vacant in the centre.

In fulfilling its general accommodation responsibilities, the RIA does not 'lease' premises from commercial contractors. Rather it 'contracts-in' a comprehensive range of services and facilities, which include accommodation, housekeeping, etc., for a fixed sum over the period of the contract. 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.