Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, my Department was informed by the contractor for the centre, by letter received on 3 October 2018, that they will not be seeking to renew the contract which expires in December. Unfortunately, it was not possible to agree an extension to the contract that would comply with public procurement regulations.

Residents at the centre were informed by personal letter delivered last Friday, 12 October, that the centre would close when the contract comes to an end on 3 December.

I can assure the Deputy that the welfare of the residents is of the utmost importance and the matters raised by him, such as continuity in education, and particular needs arising due to family situations or medical needs, are being taken into account as officials of my Department seek solutions to what is an unfortunate situation.

Senior staff at the Reception and Integration Agency met with residents on 17 October to discuss these very issues with them and have scheduled a weekly meeting to update residents on progress and give feedback in relation to their concerns. Additionally, they will be available to meet with the residents' committee and also with individual residents insofar as schedules permit.

Solutions are being explored across a number of avenues, both within my Department, and in cooperation with other Government agencies and NGOs.

As part of a wider scheme to seek additional accommodation for those in the international protection process, my Department advertised a public procurement competition for premises within 40km of Newbridge on 16 September 2018.

In light of recent developments, I have arranged to extend the closing date of that competitive process to 31 October 2018. I hope that this will enable interested contractors to submit premises to this tender process.

Irrespective of the outcome of this process, residents of this accommodation centre who are still in the protection process will be offered alternative accommodation from within the accommodation portfolio of my Department.

My aim is to limit, to the greatest extent possible, the disruption to families and to residents relying on Dublin-based services, and I am examining whether this objective can be strengthened in contracts. The Reception and Integration Agency is working on contingency plans to facilitate school children currently living in the centre in question to continue in their schools for the current school year. However, the Reception and Integration Agency is very constrained by the current demands for its accommodation and by the absence of bed capacity within its system.

Where an individual or family has permission to remain in Ireland they can access the mainstream housing supports and services on the same basis as nationals/European Economic Area nationals. Considerable work has been done to support residents with status to move out of accommodation centres and to secure permanent accommodation.

As the Deputy is aware, funding has been granted to the Jesuit Refugee Service and the Peter McVerry Trust under the asylum, migration and integration fund Ireland 2017 - 2019 for the PATHS, Providing Asylum-seekers in Transition with Housing and Support, project. In addition, funding has been granted to South Dublin County Partnership for a two year housing and integration programme, a key part of which is to assist residents who have received permission to remain, to access housing supports. Officials from my Department have been liaising with South Dublin County Council in relation to the particular situation arising in Clondalkin.

In relation to labour market access for eligible applicants, those who are waiting on a first instance decision on their application for international protection for nine months or more, permission encompasses both access to employment and self-employment. While it is initially valid for a period of six months, it may be renewed if the applicant has not received a final decision on their application within this timeframe. The Deputy raised two further issues, which are not within my remit as Minister. As regards the prioritisation of international protection claims, I have no function in relation to the application process itself as the IPO comprises, inter alia, a chief international protection officer and international protection officers who are independent in the performance of their international protection functions. Furthermore, entitlements to medical cards are determined by the HSE, who can advise on the particular rules and procedures governing their issue.