Written answers

Thursday, 6 December 2007

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Asylum Support Services

8:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he can arrange for transfer to alternative accommodation to facilitate special dietary requirements in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33203/07]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. The RIA has no role in respect of other types of accommodation, including private rented.

It would appear from the details provided that the person referred to in the question is currently in private rented accommodation. In order to clarify the circumstances of this case, some background is required.

The person referred to in the question was accommodated in Glen Vera Hotel Accommodation Centre in Cork on 1 October, 2002. Two years, ten months later, his spouse arrived in the State and claimed asylum, joining him two months later in the Glen Vera centre on 4 October, 2005.

Shortly after being joined by his spouse, the RIA received an application seeking self catering accommodation citing his age and his dietary requirements as justification. No specific medical condition was cited nor was any documentary medical evidence provided to support the application.

In response to the request for self catering accommodation — specifically in respect of his dietary requirements — the RIA advised that there is an obligation on accommodation centres to offer menus which reflect the reasonable ethnic needs and medical requirements of its residents. He was advised to meet with the centre chef to discuss his dietary requirements.

His spouse went missing from the Glen Vera Hotel Accommodation Centre on 8 September, 2006. She subsequently lodged a new asylum application on 26 November, 2007 and she is now accommodated in the Hibernian accommodation centre, Abbeyleix. He himself went missing from the Glen Vera Hotel Accommodation Centre on 15 May, 2007 and appears now to be in private rented accommodation.

If the person referred to in the question, who seems to be in private rented accommodation wishes to be re-accommodated by RIA, he should submit a request accordingly, citing any medical evidence in support of any particular type of accommodation requested. It needs to be clearly understood that the Direct Provision system is at the core of RIA's accommodation portfolio and that self catering forms only a very small element of that portfolio. Demand for self catering is such that demand far exceeds supply and there are no plans to increase that element of RIA's accommodation portfolio. In considering any specific request for accommodation, RIA must balance competing demands and make decisions accordingly.

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