Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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266. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has approved a contract to a company (details supplied) to accommodate up to 80 refugees at a hotel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46704/18]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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In January and again in September of this year, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department published a call for expressions of interest in the national press for premises to meet the increasing demand for accommodation for persons in the protection process. It is worth noting that refugees are persons who have already been granted international protection status in Ireland. This accommodation is for those seeking international protection, namely asylum seekers.

This call sought expressions of interest from parties who would be interested in providing accommodation and related services on an urgent and emergency basis. This was issued in response to the urgent and unforeseen demand for accommodation and related services from those persons arriving in the state seeking international protection.

The criteria against which the Department assessed the offers of accommodation were availability, standard of property, ability to provide communal social spaces for residents, ability to cater at mealtimes and proximity to required various services.

It should be noted that these premises were offered to the Department by individual contractors across the country. The Department did not randomly choose any one location over another location.

Following on-site assessments carried out by staff in the Department, the offer of the Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey was deemed to be suitable premises for the needs of the Department. The premises is available, decorated to a high standard, capable of providing meals to residents and has scope to provide the required communal social areas required by residents.

My Department has reached agreement with Abbey Castle Accommodation Limited to provide accommodation and ancillary services at the Shannon Key West Hotel for up to 81 persons for one year, pending the completion of all necessary works.