Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Reception and Integration Agency has any plans to develop facilities at a location (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12675/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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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. It is understood that there is speculation locally in relation to the premises specified in the question as to its possible future use as an asylum accommodation centre.

It is not uncommon for unused hotels in locations around the country to generate such speculation but, as a matter of long standing policy, RIA never comments on procurement issues. The speculation in this case appears to be connected to the nearby Mosney Centre, where currently approximately 573 persons reside. There are no immediate plans to change existing arrangements at that centre. RIA has now entered into discussions with the contractor at Mosney in the context of the expiry of the current contract this June. It is not possible at this stage to say what the outcome of those discussions will be.

As a general point, the number of asylum seekers requiring accommodation now and in the future is under constant review. It is not possible to predict what particular accommodation facilities will be required in the short or medium term future. 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 ). Generally, the management of the direct provision budget must operate under the general economic constraints which apply to all public spending.