Written answers

Wednesday, 17 September 2014

Department of Justice and Equality

Direct Provision System

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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598. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on the presence of armed gardaí at Mount Trenchard direct provision centre in County Limerick and the transfer of two spokespersons for the residents immediately after their talks with the management of the centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33574/14]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) is a functional unit of the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department and is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers under the government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Currently, 4,311 persons are residing in 34 asylum accommodation centres under contract to RIA.

On 14 August, 2014 a serious incident occurred at the Mount Trenchard asylum accommodation centre in Foynes, Co Limerick involving a small minority of residents. A discussion then took place on a number of issues of grievance between residents, the contractor and representatives of a local support group and it was believed that most issues of concern were resolved.

However two residents in particular, continued to prevent the lawful entry of the contractor and centre staff and the decision was taken by RIA, in the interests of the health and safety of all persons present and in relation to the continued safe running of the centre, to transfer the two individuals concerned. Taxis were provided for the residents. One of the men left the centre without difficulty while the second individual refused to leave and was escorted off the premises by the Gardaí. The deployment of specific Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am advised that in addition to uniformed Gardaí attending the location referred to, the Regional Support Unit (RSU) was requested to attend as a precautionary measure as this unit is trained in dealing with public order incidents.

I am advised by RIA that the transfers of the men were not made because they were spokesmen for a group of protesters, as was widely reported, but because of the sustained intimidation of staff which made the management of centre impossible.

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