Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the special dietary needs of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2 are currently being met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2962/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to my answer to the Deputy's previous Dáil Question of 11 October, 2007 (ref: 23306/07) in respect of this person's dietary needs and her request for a transfer to alternative accommodation, specifically self-catering accommodation.

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. I am informed that the person is currently accommodated at Camden Hall accommodation centre in Dublin. She applied for asylum on 13 February, 2004.

To provide an update on the situation since my Dáil answer last October, this person has made five requests for self-catering accommodation in just over 2 years. The first three were made on the basis of the length of time she was residing in direct provision accommodation. Her most recent dated request was received on 12 October, 2007 and was referred to an independent medical referee who was of the opinion that she did not have adequate medical grounds to be considered for self -catering accommodation.

It should be noted that no new self-catering centres are planned by the RIA going forward and, moreover, the value of retaining the existing centres is under review. The RIA is satisfied that all of the material needs of asylum seekers can be met within the direct provision system.

Records indicate that the person referred has never complained to centre management about the food or asked for any special dietary concessions. As her transfer request has as its basis a diet-related medical condition, she was requested on 14 September and 16 October, 2007 to provide centre management with a diet sheet from her doctor. This has not yet been provided. When it is provided, centre management will endeavour to facilitate her dietary requirements.