Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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42. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will investigate the circumstances of a family (details supplied) in Dublin 8 and their current immigration status and housing status. [5193/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, if the members of the family concerned have made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection, the position is that it is not the practice to comment on such applications for so long as they are in the protection process. The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of protection applicants in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Direct provision provides for full board accommodation supports while a final decision is awaited by a person on their protection or any related leave to remain application.

The family referred to in the details supplied comprise a father, mother and three small children. The father only presented for direct provision accommodation in December, 2013 to join his wife and children who had been accommodated there for some time previously and his request was granted. To date, no transfer request has been received by RIA in respect of this family.

As stated in response to a written PQ in respect of this family on Wednesday 29 January, 2014, if the family wish to be accommodated at an alternative accommodation centre, they should apply in writing to the Reception and Integration Agency at PO Box 11487, Dublin 2. In relation to Watergate House accommodation centre, this is a self-catering facility which is designated for cases where there is an exceptional need, for example, serious medical concerns. There is no suitable accommodation for this size of family at Watergate House at present and no documentation has been provided to support an exceptional need in this instance. If the family choose to apply for a transfer from Clondalkin accommodation centre, RIA will look at alternative accommodation options around the country for the family and respond directly to the family.