Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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120. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to request the office for promotion of migrant integration to enable access by the Amal Group of the Dublin Islamic Foundation of Ireland to the 23 families who are here under the resettlement and relocation programme, in order to provide religious and culturally appropriate support and assistance (details supplied). [10038/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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All refugees, whether resident in temporary accommodation in Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres or in their own homes, are free to practise their religion or to engage with their religious organisations. Whether a person is resident in their own private home, or in a residential centre, it is up to each individual to decide with whom they wish to engage and on the level and extent of that engagement.

No restrictions have been placed on any organisation with regard to engagement with their congregation wherever they are resident, be it in their own homes or in the residential centres. However, religious organisations are not permitted to preach, teach or organise cultural or religious events in the residential centres. The Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres are "home" to persons of various religious beliefs and none. Religious organisations are free to invite residents to any religious or cultural events outside of their place of residence in the same way as if they were resident in their private homes.

With regard to visiting residents in the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres, I am sure that you will agree, that the health, safety and privacy of the residents must be of primary concern. It is required under law to protect the identity of refugees. Therefore, it is imperative that persons visiting the centre, regardless of their background or religion, must be Garda vetted. To facilitate visitors, special arrangements have been put in place with Kildare Volunteer Services to organise Garda vetting for any person that wishes to visit the centre. Visiting must also be curtailed during special periods e.g. during mealtimes, or when children are sleeping and visiting is restricted to public areas to protect the privacy of the residents.

When visiting the centre, the visitor must be invited by a resident and the visitor is limited to meeting with that resident and must not disturb other residents. I am sure that you will agree that this is standard practice in any residential centre.

Donations to support the residents in Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres are coordinated by local voluntary bodies. Kildare Volunteer Service accept donations for the Hazel Hotel, and the Centre Management accept donations in Dungarvan. If a person wishes to make a donation they can do so through those avenues. This guarantees an even distribution of gifts and donations to the residents in accordance with the residents' needs.