Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if women in direct provision centres have been consulted directly to establish their views on whether women-only centres are warranted or desirable for they and their children's safety. [41400/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision. The RIA currently operates 46 accommodation centres across the State. Of these 46 centres, 3 are for family accommodation only, 28 (such as Mosney) are a mix of family and single accommodation and 15 are for single persons only.

In procuring and managing its accommodation, the RIA must take into consideration overall demand for accommodation and the changing profile of family groups. The RIA has always found that the accommodation of single women at family centres is the optimum for their accommodation needs. Experience has shown that family centres also allow for life events, such as newborn children, children reaching adulthood (both male and female) or the arrival into the State of spouses, partners and children (including adult children) to join a single or family unit, as well as relationships which break up. This minimises, to the greatest extent possible within the direct provision structure, the upheaval to residents over time. Single male centres do not experience this level of change as, normally, the movement would be of the single male towards a family unit where such life events arise.

RIA is charged with providing the 'best accommodation fit' for its residents having regard to the overall business needs and logistical and value for money challenges across its portfolio generally. In that context, there is a limit to which individual preferences, whether established by direct consultation or otherwise, can be met. Moreover, these preferences are subject to constant change. The RIA is mindful of the needs of men, women and children who require RIA assistance and this is reflected in the accommodation structure, security, health and safety arrangements, child protection, Garda vetting and parenting policies. In addition, the RIA works with HSE services locally to facilitate access to public health nurses, GPs and other services on-site or in the community.