Written answers

Tuesday, 2 May 2017

Department of Justice and Equality

Direct Provision Data

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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152. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons currently living in each direct provision centre, in tabular form; the number of persons that have been granted leave to remain but are still residing in each direct provision centre; the process for housing former residents of direct provision once their applications are approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19835/17]

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The statistics sought by the Deputy are provided in the table.

The figures indicate that just over 9% of the total population of accommodation centres has some type of leave to remain but are still accommodated in the centres. A more detailed analysis shows that this is a more acute problem in the Dublin area with over 36% of all occupants with some form of permission to stay and even more critical in self catering centres with over 44% of all residents in that category remaining the accommodation. The figures in the Dublin area reflect the general issues with housing that are being experienced in the capital.

Notwithstanding this fact, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), which administers the system of accommodation for protection applicants, has always continued to provide such persons with continued accommodation until they secure their own private accommodation. RIA is 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.

Following on from the McMahon report, my Department 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. The Reception and 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.

Some families in centres who have sourced their own accommodation in the community may defer their move until breaks in the school year to minimise disruption to their children's education. As the annual major school break approaches, it is anticipated that a number of families will move during that period.

Following a recent call for proposals under the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund, a number of charities and NGOs have been successful in applying for funding for projects with the specific aim of providing assistance to those transiting from state provided accommodation to permanent homes in the community. While this work has only just begun I am confident that it will prove of great assistance and benefit to all concerned.

CountyCentreAddressOccupancy Number with Status
ClareKnockalisheenMeelick
235
5
CorkAshbourne HseGlounthaune
90
0
Kinsale RoadCork City
234
17
GlenveraWellington Road
98
7
MillstreetMillstreet
169
5
Clonakilty LodgeClonakilty, Co. Cork
90
3
DublinThe TowersThe Ninth Lock, Clondalkin, D.22
209
110
Georgian Court77-79 Lower Gardiner St. Dublin 1
65
12
Hatch Hall 28 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2
130
25
GalwayEglintonThe Proms, Salthill
170
22
Great Western HouseEyre Square
142
13
KerryAtlas House (Killarney)Killarney
71
0
Atlas House (Tralee)Tralee
95
5
Johnston MarinaTralee
79
2
Park LodgeKillarney
39
2
Kildare Eyrepowell Newbridge
78
7
LaoisMontagueEmo, Portlaoise
190
14
LimerickHanratty'sGlentworth Street, Limerick
112
2
Mount TrenchardFoynes, Co. Limerick
78
0
LongfordRichmond CourtRichmond Street, Longford
73
1
MayoThe Old ConventBallyhaunis
198
1
MeathMosneyMosney
732
62
MonaghanSt. PatricksMonaghan
157
13
SligoGlobe HouseChapel Hill
177
13
WaterfordAtlantic HouseTramore, Co. Waterford
71
4
Ocean ViewTramore, Co. Waterford
65
1
BirchwoodBallytruckle Road
118
3
Viking HouseCoffee House Lane
69
4
WestmeathAthloneAthlone
186
4
Total
4220
357
DublinWatergate House11-14 Usher's Quay, Dublin 8
58
32
LouthCarroll VillageDundalk
59
20
Total - Self Catering
117
52
DublinBalseskinSt. Margarets, Finglas, Dublin 11
205
6
Total - Reception Centre
205
6
Grand total
4542
415

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