Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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323. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the quality and standard of accommodation available to refugees-asylum seekers through the direct provision system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44392/14]

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. Currently, approximately, 4,300 persons are residing in 34 asylum accommodation centres under contract to RIA.

The existence of the direct provision system over the last 14 years has ensured that the State has been able to ensure that those who claim international protection in this country - and do not have the means to support themselves - have been provided with accommodation and a range of ancillary services including health care and education. During this period, no asylum seeker has ever been left homeless, and over 52,000 people have been provided with accommodation under the direct provision system since its establishment in 2000.

In relation to the quality and standards of accommodation available to protection applicants, I am satisfied that there is a rigorous inspection system in place in which each centre is inspected three times a year, twice by RIA staff and once by an independent inspection company, QTS Limited. In addition, to ensure transparency in relation to standards in centres, all completed inspection reports of centres undertaken since 1 October 2013 are being published on the RIA website.

The Deputy will be aware that I have established an independent Working Group to report to Government on improvements to the protection process, including Direct Provision and supports for asylum seekers. The terms of reference and membership of the Working Group, under the chairmanship of former High Court Judge Bryan McMahon, is published on RIA's website - www.ria.gov.ie.

The first plenary meeting of the Group took place on Monday 10 November with both myself and Minister of State Ó Ríordáin in attendance and a work programme was agreed. A second plenary meeting will take place tomorrow, 19 November. The issues to be examined by the Working Group are complex and require thorough consideration to ensure that any recommendations are practical and sustainable from a budgetary perspective and do not interfere with existing border controls and immigration policies.

I am confident that the Working Group will revert with practical proposals which will assist in improving the living arrangements for protection applicants while they await a final decision on their applications. The agreed terms of reference do not indicate any timeframe for the Working Group's deliberations but I would welcome a report by Easter.