Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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636. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding direct provision; the number of persons in direct provision in 2014; the number that are children; the way in which these numbers compare with the numbers in the previous nine years; if she will provide a breakdown for the past ten years of the number of persons in direct provision that have been granted asylum, given permission to remain or have been returned to their country of origin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33901/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Direct Provision system is managed by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department. For the most part, this represents a cashless system with the State assuming responsibility for providing suitable accommodation for asylum seekers on a full board basis. RIA currently provides full board accommodation and ancillary services to just over 4,300 persons in 34 centres across the State. It is of note that the number of new asylum seekers to date in 2014 is approximately 40% higher than the same period in 2013.

In relation to statistical queries such as these, it is important to state that RIA is keen to provide as much detail as is practicable on the system which it is charged with operating. Extensive statistical information is on its website - www.ria.gov.ie including Annual Reports covering the years from 2007 to 2013 inclusive. These Annual Reports provide a variety of information, including a breakdown of the numbers of adults and children in each direct provision centre and the length of time persons, overall, have been residing in the direct provision system. The statistics in relation to the numbers granted asylum, permission to remain or returned to their country of origin over the last ten years have been compiled but further checking across various databases is required to ensure the accuracy of the figures. This information will be conveyed to the Deputy as soon as possible.