Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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125. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons currently residing in each of the direct provision centres that have been granted refugee status, subsidiary protection status or leave to remain, in tabular form; the supports in place to assist these persons to move out of direct provision; if she has discussed the most appropriate way to accommodate those persons granted status allowing them to remain here with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35813/16]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Information relating to the numbers of persons with some form of status broken down by accommodation centre is not readily available. However, I can say that recent statistical analysis showed that there were in the region of 500 persons with some form of status in the process of transiting to accommodation in the community. This number fluctuates based on the numbers of status grants and the movement of such persons into private accommodation over time. The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA), its centre managers, the Community Welfare Service (by way of provision of Rent Allowance), Citizens Information and those City and County Councils operating the Housing Assistance Payments link with such persons in accessing the appropriate supports and services, including in respect of sourcing and securing private accommodation.

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 (www.ria.gov.ie) 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.

Once some form of status is granted, residents cease to be ordinarily entitled to the accommodation supports provided through RIA. Notwithstanding this fact, RIA have always continued to provide such persons with continued accommodation until they secure their own private accommodation. RIA are particularly mindful of the reality of the housing situation in the State and the pressures on the Community Welfare Service in respect of Rent Supplement or the City and County Councils in respect of Housing Assistance Payments and Housing Lists. That said, the provision of housing for persons coming out of the protection process has been incorporated in the recently published Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.