Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 368: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of centres under the direct provision scheme, administered by the Reception and Integration Agency, for refugees or asylum applicants in Galway and nationwide; and the future plans for these centres in view of the reducing numbers of asylum seekers and the need to reconfigure spending at his Department in line with the EU/IMF/ECB deal. [32464/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the operation of the direct provision system. As of 23 October 2011, RIA has contracted to it 39 accommodation centres across the State accommodating 5,481 persons in all of which 4 are in County Galway - Details of all centres currently under contract to RIA are available on its website, www.ria.gov.ie.

The direct provision system is a constantly evolving one, taking account of the reducing number of residents in RIA centres. The numbers needing to be accommodated by RIA have declined by 10% in 2011 and this trend is continuing downwards. The 2011 estimates provision for RIA is €67.5 million, down €10 million (13%) from last year. Accordingly, because of a decline in demand, the number of asylum accommodation centres is necessarily falling. Five centres closed in 2008, six in 2009, eight in 2010 and seven to date in 2011. In addition to centre closures, a number of accommodation centres have reduced their bed space capacity to reflect the decline in demand.

The number of asylum seekers requiring accommodation now and the likely number in the future is under constant review and it is not possible at this stage to predict what particular accommodation facilities will be required in the short or medium term future. The general economic constraints, which apply to all public spending, will continue to apply in management of the direct provision budget.