Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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94. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in the direct provision system; the total cost to the Exchequer of the current system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26686/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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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. As at 8 June 2014, there were 4,353 persons availing of direct provision accommodation and supports in 34 accommodation centres across 16 counties. The expenditure outturn for the accommodation costs incurred by RIA in the last five years is as follows:

The 2014 Estimate Provision for RIA is €51.9 million. More detailed information on the breakdown of costs associated with the Direct Provision system can be found on the RIA website (at www.ria.gov.ie).

It should be noted that the direct provision system is only one element of the State’s response to its international obligations on the asylum issue. As well as educational, health and welfare costs, there is the asylum determination system itself, as well as the downstream judicial and policing costs. All countries which take their responsibilities in this area seriously are faced with similar calls on their financial resources. For example, it was estimated that in the period 2005 to 2009 inclusive, the total amount spent across the whole of Government on asylum seekers was €1,275.31 million, of which €424.43 million was spent on the direct provision system.

The numbers of asylum seekers residing in direct provision has reduced significantly in recent years. The current figure of 4,353 compared to the numbers residing in direct provision at its highest point in April, 2005 (8,080), shows that there has been a reduction of 46%, or 3,727 persons, in the intervening period.