Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which persons who have come here and are seeking regularisation of their status are allocated to various hostels for the duration of this assessment; the approach that is being taken in terms of seeking to keep in the same hostel families, or couples; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45398/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In respect of asylum seekers, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is the agency responsible for providing accommodation.

The RIA currently operates 54 accommodation centres across 21 counties. Of these, 17 centres are designated for single persons only, while the remaining 34 provide accommodation solely for families, or are mixed use centres housing both families and single persons in separate units.

I am informed that it is the RIA's policy, wherever possible or practicable, to ensure that all the members of the family of an applicant are housed together.