Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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78. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the large number of persons who remain in direct provision following receipt of their stamp four visas and the threat of these persons and families being made homeless by the Reception and Integration Agency; if with his responsibility for homelessness policy he has raised this matter with the Minister for Justice and Equality to put in place housing solutions that will prevent persons becoming homeless in the transition from direct provision. [33133/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, matters relating to direct provision and the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) are a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality.

In terms of the number of persons in RIA accommodation who have been granted some form of status, I am advised that there are in the region of 500 such persons among the 4,200 residents across the system. This number fluctuates based on the numbers of status grants and the movement of such persons into private accommodation over time.

RIA, its centre managers, the Community Welfare Service (including Rent Supplement), Citizens Information and those City and County Councils operating the Housing Assistance Payments Scheme link with such persons in accessing the appropriate supports and services, including in respect of sourcing and securing private accommodation.

I am further advised that following on from the McMahon Working Group Report, the Department of Justice and Equality developed a Guide to Independent Living for persons with status to provide practical assistance for them. The Guide is available in all centres and has been published on the RIA website () in a number of different languages. This was published in parallel with information sessions coordinated by the Citizens Information Bureau in accommodation centres which gave an opportunity for such persons to seek assistance and clarification on the services provided.

While it is the case that once some form of status is granted, residents cease to be ordinarily entitled to the accommodation supports provided through the RIA, such persons are not threatened with eviction and, in fact, continue to be supported in accommodation until they secure their own alternative accommodation.