Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 896: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a contract has been awarded for the provision of a centre (details supplied) in County Mayo. [12053/08]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 905: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans for accommodating asylum seekers in premises (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12097/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 896, 905, 910, 911 and 917 together.

In order to deal comprehensively with the matters raised in these questions, it is firstly necessary to give some background to the issue of accommodating asylum seekers. The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) was established on 2 April, 2001 under the aegis of my Department. It replaced the Directorate of Asylum Support Services (DASS) and the Refugee Agency. The reception function of the Agency has as its principal task the provision of accommodation to asylum seekers while their applications for asylum are processed.

RIA is also responsible for the co-ordination of the delivery of other services (including health, social welfare and education) to them. RIA accommodates asylum seekers, principally in accordance with the policy of direct provision. Direct provision is the means by which the State discharges its obligations to provide for the basic requirements of asylum seekers. For the most part, this involves a cashless system with the State assuming responsibility for providing suitable accommodation on a full board basis, together with certain exceptional needs welfare payments. Direct provision was introduced on 10 April, 2000 and brought Ireland into line with other EU Member States. All accommodation costs, together with the costs of meals, heat, light, laundry and maintenance are paid directly by the State.

To achieve its objective, the RIA is required to source accommodation throughout Ireland for accommodating asylum seekers. There are currently 62 such centres (including two Reception centres) in 22 counties in the State. In seven such centres the land and buildings are owned by the State but in all other cases the land and buildings are owned or leased by private companies. The day-to-day running of all RIA accommodation centres is carried out by commercial operators under contract to RIA. The RIA does not 'lease' or 'purchase' premises from commercial operators. Rather it 'contracts-in' a comprehensive range of services, which include accommodation, catering, housekeeping, etc., for a fixed period of time. In July 2006, the RIA placed a national advertisement seeking expressions of interest from persons who could offer suitable accommodation for asylum seekers. A similar advertisement was placed in January of this year. In fulfilling its remit to provide accommodation for asylum seekers, the RIA examines all offers of accommodation as to their suitability and decisions on the possible use of individual premises are taken on the basis of current needs at any particular time.

The RIA endeavours to achieve the best value for money for the taxpayer in its ongoing negotiations with commercial organisations which provide services for asylum-seekers. It must be understood that, in most cases, contract negotiations between RIA and service providers are still in play right up to the point where the contract is signed. It is normal for asylum seekers to be placed in such centres immediately after the signing of the contract. It is acknowledged that this results in very short notice to other State service providers such as social services, health and other services.

It cannot be emphasised enough that RIA is a demand driven organisation and operates in an environment akin to a "just-in-time" supply organisation. There are currently 6,709 asylum seekers in RIA accommodation. In the past twelve months, an additional 920 persons had to be accommodated by RIA. This equates to approximately 18 new bed spaces per week. RIA is required to provide accommodation based on what is actually on offer arising from the advertising process cited above. The percentage of asylum seekers in particular counties may rise and fall but it is the overriding aim of RIA to ensure that dispersals to counties outside Dublin are allocated proportionately over time.

In relation to the premises which is the subject of the questions, no contract has been signed between RIA and a service provider in relation to the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers. It is, moreover, the practice not to comment on any issues regarding procurement for asylum seeker accommodation given the commercial sensitivities cited above. As to the statistical element of these questions, I attach to this answer a table showing, by county, the percentage of asylum seekers in the direct provision system in relation to the county population as a whole as recorded in the 2006 Census. There is no legal requirement for recognised refugees to reside in a particular place so statistics are not available as to the number of refugees resident in each county. Statistics are not available in relation to asylum seekers resident in each county who do not available of accommodation provided by RIA.

There are currently two accommodation centres in County Mayo, viz., the Old Convent, Ballyhaunis and the Railway Hotel, Kiltimagh, which currently accommodate 309 and 76 persons respectively. As can be seen, the current percentage in relation to Mayo is 0.31%.