Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 565: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans for the future of the Mosney asylum facility in Bettystown, County Meath; if he intends to close the facility down; the plans that exist for the rehousing of asylum seekers; if any current resident will be re-located; if so, the location of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11421/12]

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

I would refer the Deputy to my response on 23/02/2012 to a similar question raised by Deputy Regina Doherty (10392/12), which is essentially repeated here.

The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is charged with responsibility for the accommodation of asylum seekers while their applications for protection are being processed. As of 12/02/2012, there were 5,313 accommodated in RIA centres located throughout the State, with a total of 573 persons living at the Mosney centre.

The number of asylum seekers requiring accommodation now and the likely number in the future are 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. There are no immediate plans to change existing arrangements at the Mosney Centre. In accordance with standard procedures RIA will shortly be entering into discussions with the contractor at Mosney in the context of the expiry of the current contract in June this year. Plainly, it is not possible at this stage to say what the outcome of those discussions will be.

RIA will continue to have regard for the recommendations contained in the 'Value for Money Report and Policy Review - Asylum Seeker Accommodation Programme' (May 2010), which is available on RIA's website (www.ria.gov.ie ) and the general economic constraints, which apply to all public spending and which will continue to apply in management of the direct provision budget.