Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will authorise transfer from Athlone accommodation to Mosney Centre in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9971/08]

Brian 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. The accommodation centres at Athlone and Mosney referred to in the details supplied are operated under contract for the RIA.

By way of background to the case, the details supplied refer to a family of 4, comprising 2 parents and 2 children, all of whom are currently being accommodated at Athlone accommodation centre. The RIA received a transfer request from this family on 9 January 2008 and a reply issued to this request dated 16 January 2008 stating that the request had been considered and that the reasons and supporting documentation supplied with the transfer request were insufficient to warrant a transfer in this case.

The Deputy may wish to note that the RIA currently operates 63 centres across 23 counties providing accommodation to over 6,700 asylum seekers. There are high occupancy levels at all centres including both Athlone and Mosney. Transfers between centres where the basis is medical grounds require clear and compelling medical evidence which specifies the reason why a particular accommodation is not suitable having regard to those medical grounds. Once clear and compelling medical evidence is provided to the RIA, such evidence is referred to an independent medical referee for review and recommendation. Where grounds are found by the RIA to be compelling and where alternative appropriate accommodation is available, the RIA will grant and effect the transfer.