Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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97. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be sourced to establish an art therapy service for children in direct provision accommodation centres (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7416/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the provision of full board accommodation and certain ancillary services to asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision. There are currently approximately 4,300 asylum seekers in 34 centres around the State. Aside from full board accommodation services provided by RIA, services to residents of direct provision centres are mainstreamed i.e. they receive a range of State services - education, health, community welfare supports and so on - in the same way as the general population.

It is not clear if the Deputy has a particular centre in that county in mind. Without further detail it is not clear as to whether the issue is general art therapy provided through the mainstream education system or whether it refers to a service provided by local community groups or NGO's for children in Direct Provision centres. If a specific request is made to RIA the issue can be examined in detail.

As to the issue of services to asylum seekers generally, the Deputy may wish to note the establishment in October, 2014 of 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.This Group is examining, inter alia, the provision of improved supports to asylum applicants, aimed at showing greater respect for the dignity of persons in the system and improving their quality of life.