Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 563: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of asylum accommodation centres in each year 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008; the annual expenditure on such accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11817/09]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 564: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of asylum seekers in asylum accommodation annually since 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11818/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 and 564 together.

The policy of direct provision and dispersal is the means by which the State discharges its responsibilities under international agreements for the care of asylum seekers. The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with this Government policy.

The following table sets out the end-of-year position, for each year from 2005 to 2008 inclusive, showing the number of accommodation centres in operation, numbers of persons accommodated at end-year, and the amount spent by the RIA on accommodation and ancillary services for each year.

Based on end of year figures since the commencement of the policy to end 2008, the RIA (and its predecessor, DASS) provided bed spaces for over 51,500 asylum seekers. Throughout this time, no asylum seeker in need of accommodation from the State has remained homeless.

Regular unannounced inspections are carried out in all reception and accommodation centres to ensure that standards are being maintained and that value for money is being achieved. A serious view is taken by the RIA if proprietors fail to meet their obligations. Breaches in this regard have led to the closure of a number of centres in the past.

The RIA constantly monitors the rates of payment to the providers of accommodation. In recent years increases in the rates paid by the RIA were modest and below any "real-term" inflators when tested against the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In light of the current pressure on the public finances, RIA is actively engaging with all its contractors with a view to reducing expenditure.

As I indicated in my reply of 25 February, 2009 to the Deputy, the Government agreed to a new round of Value For Money (VFM) reviews for the period 2009-2011. One of the expenditure programmes on the Vote of the Office of the Minister for Justice to be the subject of such a review is the spending by RIA on asylum seeker accommodation. The review will take place over the course of 2009, the results of which will be presented to the Oireachtas upon its completion.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 565: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average timeframe of contracts to asylum accommodation providers; if he will list the contract timeframe to all asylum accommodation providers; his plans to review the contractual agreements with such providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11819/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) is charged with accommodating asylum seekers while their applications for asylum are processed.

Currently, RIA has contracts in respect of 60 centres, including the Programme Refugee Orientation Centre in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. Seven of these centres are State owned and are managed by commercial entities under contract to RIA. The length of contracts can vary depending on the type, function and location of the centre in question. A list of the current contract timeframes is set out below. The current mean average timeframe for contracts with RIA is 118 weeks.

RIA contracts are kept under constant review with a view to ensuring maximum value for the taxpayer. In the context of the current budgetary situation, RIA is actively engaging with its contractors to effect savings for this and subsequent years. List of current RIA contract timeframes