Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if accommodation or medical assistance will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39108/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, 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.

As stated in the Reply to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question of 23 October 2008, the person referred to in the details supplied is currently accommodated at Mount Trenchard accommodation centre in Limerick. The accommodation remains available to him and has never been withdrawn from him. The documents provided with the details supplied will be forwarded to a medical referee for examination to clarify whether there is a need for a change of accommodation in this case.

In relation to medical assistance generally, the provision of such assistance is a matter for the relevant medical services within the HSE. The Deputy will be aware that asylum seekers can access public health services in the same way as an Irish citizen. Furthermore, asylum seekers generally qualify for a medical card and can access the full range of services which that attracts without charge.