Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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533. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the international protection programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54918/17]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The decision to reopen the accommodation facility at Linden House, Killarney, Co. Kerry was made to meet an urgent and unforeseen demand for accommodation by people seeking international protection that could not be met by the Department's existing accommodation portfolio. Linden House was previously used as an accommodation centre and was readily available to be used again.

Persons seeking international protection come from a wide variety of countries and is not possible to predict where a particular applicant would come from. This accommodation is provided while their applications for international protection are being processed so a long term housing strategy for each individual would not be practicable as the decision on their application is not known at this stage.

Unfortunately, due to the urgent and unforeseen demand for accommodation, it was not possible to engage in a full consultation process with the local authority and the community. My Department has recently advertised a tender for Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres and also advertised in the national press and the Official Journal of the EU seeking expressions of interest from interested parties to provide accommodation to those seeking international protection. My Department has advised the County and City Management Association of these procurement processes and will engage with the relevant local authority prior to a centre opening following the completion of these procurement processes.