Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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262. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons seeking asylum who were not immediately accommodated in the direct provision system due to a shortage of space; the alternatives provided to such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48043/18]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, persons seeking international protection are offered accommodation and related services by my Department. Not every person accepts this offer and there is no obligation on any person to do so. Some persons may avail of accommodation with friends and-or family or may have means of their own. 

A person who does not need accommodation and related services immediately on arrival in Ireland may seek to obtain these services at a later date.

In early September 2018, there was a sudden increase in demand for accommodation and priority had to be given to families and other vulnerable people arriving into Ireland. The number that did not initially receive an offer of accommodation was relatively small (approximately 20 persons), and RIA has since offered accommodation to any of those who subsequently requested accommodation.

Since that time additional accommodation has been made available to RIA and all newly arrived protection applications who have requested accommodation have been so provided.

As of Sunday evening, 18th November 2018, 5,929 persons were accommodated throughout the State. This is from a contracted capacity of 6,211 with  224 spaces unavailable due to family configurations etc., and 90 spaces available for new applicants. 

To address ongoing demands, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department continues to work actively to identify and contract suitable accommodation. This will inevitably involve opening of new accommodation centres across the country.

Quite separate to this, RIA is also engaged in an open competitive process to establish a framework of accommodation centres from which we can draw down accommodation as and when needed over the coming years.