Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

34. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number, location, capacity and occupancy of all temporary direct provision centres; the details of the contracts in place; if he is satisfied that adequate facilities are provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49814/18]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following sustained demand for accommodation services from persons entering the state and seeking international protection and in order to meet the State's obligations under Directive 2013/33/EU which was transposed into Irish Law as the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department was forced to procure a number of emergency beds as needed in a number of locations.

This situation was necessary as there were insufficient vacancies within the current contracted portfolio and the State is obliged under the Regulations to provide accommodation services to persons in the protection process that request them.

It should be noted that what is being provided under this arrangement is the provision of a bed and meals. There is no formal contract in place with any of the providers other than the provision of emergency accommodation and RIA have been actively sourcing appropriate accommodation to expand their portfolio to meet the demand.

As the Deputy is aware, properties in Moville, Co. Donegal, Rooskey, Co. Leitrim and in Wicklow Town have been identified and the Department is working to get these accommodation centres open. This will allow the Department to avoid utilising these emergency beds.

As of the 18th November the following properties were being used on an emergency basis:

Dun an Ri Hotel, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan - 35 persons

Lisanisk House Hotel, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan - 27 persons

Treacy's Hotel, Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan - 103 persons

Westenra Arms Hotel, Roosky, Co. Monaghan - 8 persons

The Grand Hotel, Wicklow town - 23 persons

As I have outlined above, these beds are being drawn down on an as required basis so there is no contracted capacity. RIA is liaising with state providers such as the Department of Employment and Social Protection and the Health Service Executive to ensure that required facilities and services are in place. I would accept that the use of these emergency beds is not ideal. The Department is focusing on the opening of the three new accommodation centres so that persons in the protection process can be allocated accommodation on contracted accommodation centres.