Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 491: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of asylum accommodation centres in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; the annual expenditure on such accommodation; the capacity of each asylum centre; the number of asylum seekers in each centre; if centres are overcrowded; the number of complaints annually by asylum seekers regarding the standard of this accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29274/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible, in accordance with Government policy, for the accommodation of those seeking international protection in Ireland. It operates a Direct Provision system which provides protection applicants with full board accommodation, free of utility or other cost.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Dáil Question numbers 563 and 564 of 24 March, 2009 in respect of the number of asylum accommodation centres in each year from 2005 to 2008 and the annual expenditure in each of those years. The following table sets out the position so far this year to the end of June.

The capacity and occupancy of each centre as at the end of June 2009 is set out at the end of this reply. Regarding the Kinsale Road Accommodation Centre has a contract capacity for 300 but currently has 304 residents. This 'purpose built' centre can accommodate additional residents over and above the contracted capacity while still conforming to legislative, including health and safety requirements. Atlas House Accommodation Centre in Killarney has a contract capacity for 90 but currently has currently 91 residents. Similarly, this centre can accommodate additional residents over and above the contracted capacity while still conforming to legislative requirements.

The following table represents a 'snapshot' of each centre on the evening of 28 June 2009. While capacity figures remain constant, occupancy figures can vary throughout the year because of the interaction of residents leaving, residents arriving, temporary closures, medical restrictions on arrivals arising from outbreaks of chickenpox, and so on. Two centres have an occupancy of zero. In the case of 'An Poc Fada', a fire necessitated the relocation of the residents to other centres for a short period of time. In the case of 'Sliabh an Iarainn', the occupancy is also zero, as residents have been moved in anticipation of the termination of the RIA contract later this month.

I am assured by the RIA that centres are not overcrowded. Indeed, all bedrooms are measured to ensure they conform to appropriate legislative requirements. Instances of temporary overcrowding may arise where, for example, there has been a birth in a family unit and arrangements need to be put in place to allocate additional space to the family.

In relation to the number of complaints annually by asylum seekers regarding the standard of this accommodation, it needs to be understood that the thrust of RIA policy in this regard is to have issues dealt with quickly and informally 'on-the-ground' in each centre. Such issues would include the standard of accommodation being provided.

Every protection applicant accommodated by the RIA is provided with a copy of the "Direct Provision Reception & Accommodation Centre Services, Rules and Procedures" which sets out, inter alia, the obligations placed both on the centre manager and the resident. It explains how one party can seek to have breaches of the obligations by the other party resolved. All parties endeavour (and succeed in the main) to resolve issues arising at centres locally and informally. On occasion, formal warnings are issued where required and appropriate action taken if these warnings are not heeded. The RIA treats very seriously all complaints, incident reports and queries received by it from residents, support groups, public representatives, management and staff of centres and others.

The RIA does not compile statistics on the number of complaints or appeals received or actions taken following on from such complaints or appeals. If such statistics were to be compiled, they could not properly reflect the number and nature of such complaints and appeals or the resolutions reached because of the high level of informal activity enacted locally between centre staff, residents and others. However, the RIA does monitor all centres and follows up where spikes in volumes or types of complaint or incident are noticeable. In such cases, the RIA will meet with management, residents and their representatives as appropriate in order to get an understanding of the issues and to assist in resolving such issues through consultation and appropriate action.

Further, the RIA conducts information clinics, centre inspections, formal and informal visits and attends meetings with residents groups, support groups, service providers and others who engage with the direct provision centres. The effect of the above processes is that complaints about, inter alia, the standard of accommodation being provided are addressed as quickly as possible.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 492: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the timeframe of contracts to each asylum accommodation provider; his plans to review the contractual agreements with such providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29275/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his Dáil Question of 24 March 2009 (ref: 565) in this matter. The length of contracts engaged in by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department for the provision of full board accommodation and ancillary services to persons who apply for international protection can vary depending on the type, function and location of the centre in question.

A table detailing the length of current contracts follows. These contracts are kept under continuing review with the primary aim of keeping costs to a minimum ensuring maximum value for the taxpayer.