Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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908. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in the direct provision system for less than six months; between six and 12 months; in excess of one, two, three, four, five, six or seven years; the total cost to the Exchequer of the current system; the specific steps being taken to address the delays in processing immigration applications involving persons in direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34949/13]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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909. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total cost of asylum accommodation for the year 2012; the cost to date in 2013; and the corresponding figures for the number of persons accommodated within the direct provision system [34950/13]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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911. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons residing here who are awaiting a decision on asylum status; the cost of accommodating those persons here; the breakdown of the nationality of those persons in State provided accommodation and those outside the direct provision system respectively; the corresponding figures for leave to remain applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34952/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 908, 909 and 911 together.

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 and dispersal.

It is important to note that RIA itself has no function in determining whether someone should stay or not in its accommodation. Its function is to provide accommodation and related services to those who have sought international protection and who otherwise have no means of supporting themselves. In essence, RIA accommodates all those who make a claim for international protection and who seek accommodation until such time as they:

(i) leave voluntarily;

(ii) are removed - either by way of deportation or Dublin II transfer;

(iii) are granted refugee status or subsidiary protection; or

(iv) are granted leave to remain, either through the process set out in the Immigration Act, 1999 or are granted permission to remain in the State on some other basis

The following are the details of expenditure by RIA and occupancy:

In relation to steps being taken to address delays in processing, work on the details of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 is ongoing at my Department pursuant to current Government policy which is committed, under the Programme for National Recovery, to "introduce comprehensive reforms of the immigration, residency and asylum systems, which will include a statutory appeals system and set out rights and obligations in a transparent way.

As I have outlined previously to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence, several hundred amendments to the Bill are anticipated, the majority of a technical nature. I also expressed the considered view that instead of engaging in an extremely cumbersome process of tabling hundreds of amendments to the 2010 Bill, it would be much more efficient to publish a new and enhanced text. Such an approach can incorporate the many anticipated amendments while addressing key outstanding issues, several of which have been of concern to Members. This proposition was broadly welcomed by the Joint Committee and work on the Bill continues, therefore, on that basis while also taking account of any intervening matters of relevance such as decisions by the Courts.

It remains my objective under this new approach, and subject to having to deal with the competing legislative demands of our EU/IMF/ECB Programme commitments, to be in a position to bring a revised Bill to Government for approval and publication before the end of the year.

Pending the enactment and commencement of the new legislation and with a view to improving processing in the area of international protection, I am proposing to introduce new arrangements for the processing of subsidiary protection applications in light of recent judgments in the Superior Courts. My Department, in consultation with the Attorney General's Office, is developing a new legislative and administrative framework for the processing of current and future subsidiary protection applications. This work is being given high priority and applicants will be advised of the new arrangements as soon as possible.

Below are two tables of statistics. The first table provides a breakdown of RIA residents giving details of the numbers of persons from the date of their initial asylum application. It is important to note that protection applicants are not required to live in RIA accommodation and in many cases may move in and out of the direct provision system as their circumstances change. Therefore, while the statistics below will show the length of time that has elapsed since those persons who are currently availing of RIA accommodation made their initial application, this does not necessarily mean that they have been residing in RIA accommodation for all of that time. The second table provides a nationality breakdown for those residents.

In relation to such detail for persons outside RIA accommodation in the asylum and leave to remain processes, this is a more complex undertaking and the information cannot be provided in the time available. Material not already provided in this answer is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy directly.

Persons in RIA accommodation:

In relation to the nationalities of those in Direct Provision accommodation, the breakdown is as follows: