Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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123. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of direct provision centres there are currently in operation; the number of residents in each as of 1 June 2015; the situation on 1 June 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26726/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in the Direct Provision system. At end May 2014 there were 4,305 persons being accommodated in the system. At end May 2015 there were 4,484 persons being accommodated. There are currently 37 accommodation centres in operation across 16 counties.

Asylum seekers are not required to avail of direct provision accommodation, and a number choose to make their own arrangements. Asylum seekers who choose to avail of direct provision accommodation may do so until such time as their status is resolved to finality. That is to say, they may remain in RIA accommodation until such time as they are either removed from the State or are granted some form of status allowing them to stay in the State. While the net change in those accommodated by RIA is plus 179 over the period, during that time a number of persons will have moved on from the accommodation while others will have come in to the system, mainly newly arrived asylum seekers.

The Report of the Working Group set up to report to Government on improvements to the protection process, including direct provision and supports to asylum seekers was launched on Tuesday 30 June, 2015 and contains a number of recommendations in this area.