Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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160. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number and location of each emergency reception and orientation centre; the capacity of each; the number of residents living in each centre by length of stay in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22592/19]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Persons arriving in Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) are initially accommodated in Emergency Reception and Accommodation Centres (EROCs).

Two EROCs are in operation. These are:

- The Abbeyfield Hotel, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon

- The Clonea Strand Hotel, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

In addition, the IRPP has the use of dedicated EROC places within the Mosney Accommodation Centre, Julianstown, Co. Meath. These places are currently being allocated to the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) but will revert to the IRPP later this year.

¹ The IRPP formerly had the use of 200 dedicated EROC spaces in Mosney Accommodation Centre. These spaces are not currently available to the IRPP and the 113 spaces now occupied by IRPP beneficiaries are in the process of being returned to the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) on a temporary basis but will revert to the IRPP later this year.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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161. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the body or organisation with responsibility for the oversight of emergency reception and orientation centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22593/19]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the vast majority of persons arriving in Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme are initially accommodated in Emergency Reception and Accommodation Centres (EROCs).

Accommodating persons resettled under the UNHCR led programme in EROCs is considered to be good practice. It allows for a period of acclimatisation, rest and recovery. The supports provided in EROCs include education, for example, English language classes, HSE medical screening and access to the services of the relevant departments.

Oversight for the conditions in centres is the responsibility of the Reception and Integration Agency within the Department of Justice and Equality. The Irish Refugee Protection Programme is responsible for the welfare of refugees admitted to Ireland under its programme. Residents may also have access to the services of the independent offices of the Ombudsman the Ombudsman for Children.