John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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181. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of asylum seekers currently awaiting a decision; the average waiting time associated with applications for asylum; the number of residential establishments currently housing asylum seekers in the State; the weekly cost to the State to provide residential accommodation for each asylum seeker; during these placement's the attempts made at preparing these persons for future integration into the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40165/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Applications for refugee status in the State are assessed at first instance by the statutory independent Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) and on appeal by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT). At the end of August 2013 there were 239 asylum applications pending in ORAC and 533 appeals pending in RAT.

While the current median processing time from date of initial application at ORAC through the appeal stage at RAT, to a final Ministerial decision is 8 months, some cases can take longer to complete due to, for example, delays arising from medical issues, or because of judicial review proceedings. A person who is refused a declaration of refugee status is, in addition to other options, notified of their entitlement under the leave to remain process, to apply for subsidiary protection in the State. This is separate to the refugee status determination process. The Deputy may be aware that I am intending to introduce new arrangements in the near future in regard to the processing of subsidiary protection applications.

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers while their application for protection in the State is being processed. Currently, RIA provides accommodation to 4,414 persons in 34 centres located in 16 counties throughout the State. Details on where these centres are located as well as other detailed information and statistics about RIA's functions are on RIA's website: www.ria.gov.ie.

The Deputy's attention is drawn to the Value for Money Report and Policy Review - Asylum Seeker Accommodation Programme (also available on RIA'a website), which provides an in-depth analysis of the accommodation provided and its costs. Currently, the weekly average cost per person in commercial direct provision centres is €206.25. This figure includes all expenditure on food, school lunch packs, heating, maintenance and housekeeping, water and sewerage, bed linen and towels, toiletries, staffing security, etc. It does not include the cost of medical, educational, and welfare costs for RIA residents.

In relation to the issue of integration, it should be borne in mind that, unlike Programme Refugees for instance, to whom a formal integration process applies, it is not a matter of certainty that an international protection applicant will require 'future integration into the community'. Specific measures to promote the integration of asylum seekers into the community are not taken pending clarification as to their status in the State. In reality, a level of integration takes place anyway given that asylum accommodation centres are not closed, children of residents attend local schools and residents avail of medical services in the same way as Irish citizens living in the same locality.

Although not intended as a formal integration process, RIA's contracts for accommodation encourages all contractors to facilitate the provision of any classes or courses provided by any bona fide organisation willing to offer services to residents. Some centres facilitate the provision of a variety of classes such as IT skills, parenting classes, sewing. etc. Projects providing reception supports to asylum seekers are eligible for grants from the European Refugee Fund eg. actions that address social, medical, and information needs of the target group. There is also an added focus on certain vulnerable groups among asylum seekers.