Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if permission will be given to relocate to alternative accommodation on humanitarian grounds in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47617/08]

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 dispersal and direct provision. The majority of accommodation provided by the RIA is in the form of direct provision whereby residents avail of full board accommodation and ancillary services. Such accommodation centres are required to take into account any specific dietary requirements which a resident may have. A very limited supply of self-catering accommodation is available, generally for serious medical and special needs cases and certain other target groups.

The person referred to in the details supplied by the Deputy applied for asylum on 30 March 2007. This person's son also applied for asylum on the same date. Both persons are currently accommodated at Atlantic House accommodation centre at Tramore, Co. Waterford. This person made a request for a transfer to self-catering earlier in 2008. The request was refused at that time after consideration by the RIA. Due to grounds set out in support of a transfer to alternative accommodation, the RIA will refer the case to a medical referee for consideration and respond directly to the asylum seeker as soon as practicable.