Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of asylum-seeking minors currently residing in direct provision accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13850/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department provides accommodation to minors only when they are accompanied by their parents or guardians. As at end February 2012, there were just over 1,700 persons under the age of 18 being accommodated in the direct provision system with their families.

RIA does not provide accommodation for unaccompanied minors. This responsibility is borne by the Health Service Executive. Asylum seekers deemed to be unaccompanied minors by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) are referred to the HSE which has responsibility for their care under the Child Care Act, 1991 until they reach 18 years of age. The general policy of the HSE is to accommodate unaccompanied minor asylum seekers in children's residential homes and through the foster care system.

Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of accommodation centres that have contracts with the Reception and Integration Agency; the value and expiration date of each contract; the number of asylum seekers residing in each accommodation centre; the amount paid in total to each centre to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13849/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers while their application for protection is being processed. On 4 March 2012, there were almost 5,300 persons being accommodated in 38 centres throughout the State.

In fulfilling its general accommodation responsibilities, RIA does not lease or rent premises from commercial contractors. Rather, it 'contracts-in' a comprehensive range of services and facilities, which include accommodation, housekeeping etc., for a fixed sum over the period of the contract. Although there are standard service obligations - food, accommodation, etc. - on each of the centres, the per diem rate paid in each case by RIA is based on an individually negotiated contract. The rates differ from one contract to another depending on the facilities available in the centres, the differing functions of some of the centres, the location of the centres, the length of the contracts and so on. Negotiations take place with a number of commercial entities on an ongoing basis and RIA endeavours to achieve the best value for money in respect of each contract. It is not in the interests of the taxpayer that details of current individual contracts are known to the public or to other parties who are, or may be in the future, engaged in negotiations with RIA. Therefore, details of current contract rates are not provided. The policy is that the updating of the table of contracts will take place only at the end of January each year in respect of all financial information up to the end of December two years previously, e.g. at the end of January, 2012 the records are updated to end of December 2009. This policy has been upheld by the Office of the Information Commissioner.

The Deputy may also wish to note thhttp://www.ria.gov.ie/at published on RIA's website - www.ria.gov.ie - are its Annual Reports for the years 2007 to 2010 inclusive. These reports include details of spending for those years, showing total payments for contracts in respect of State owned, commercial and self catering centres; for transport costs; for utility costs in State owned centres; and for miscellaneous payments. The 2011 report is being compiled and will be published as soon as possible.

The details sought by the Deputy are being compiled separately and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy shortly.