Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 394: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be allowed to transfer to Dundalk, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15259/09]

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. It currently operates 59 centres across 22 counties

The persons referred to in the details supplied with this question are a family of seven. They currently occupy 3 adjoining rooms at Atlas House accommodation centre, Killarney. All three rooms are en-suite. This accommodation is of a good standard and is more than sufficient for the needs of this family.

The centre in Dundalk, County Louth, referred to in the question is one of a small number of self-catering centres operated by RIA. Demand among RIA residents for self catering accommodation far exceeds supply and it is the long term objective of RIA to steadily reduce the availability of such accommodation. The circumstances of this family would not, in any event, warrant its transfer to such accommodation.