Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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253. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of residents in direct provision granted refugee status or subsidiary protection; the cost of retaining these residents in direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39351/19]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by officials in the Immigration Service of my Department that, as of 31 August 2019, 479 people with a Protection status grant, being either Refugee or Subsidiary Protection status, were residing in accommodation centres provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service. 

The spending review on Direct Provision published on 15 August 2019, showed that last year, the average daily rate per person in commercially owned centres was €35.50 rising to €44.00 per person in centres where independent living is provided. This is very competitive and importantly offers value for money for the taxpayer. It remains a target that all centres by the end of 2020 will provide independent living facilities.

The spending review was prepared by my Department with key input from the International Protection Accommodation Service of the Department.

For the Deputy's further information the published review is available at the following link:

People with an international protection status have the same access to mainstream housing supports and services as Irish nationals. We are working intensively with organisations like the Peter McVerry Trust, Depaul and the Jesuit Refugee Service to assist these people to transition to mainstream housing services but that is challenging in the current housing environment. 

Officials from the International Protection Accommodation Service of my Department meet regularly with colleagues from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and with staff from the City and County Manager's Association (CCMA) to work collectively to ensure those with status or permission to remain are assisted to move on to longer term accommodation as soon as possible.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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254. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the name and location of each direct provision and emergency reception and orientation centre being used to accommodate international protection applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39355/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Immigration Service of my Department that there are currently 38 accommodation centres in the State, the locations of which are set out in the following table.

As these centres are currently operating at full capacity, as of 22nd September, there are also 1,379 people being accommodated by the International Protection Accommodation Services unit (IPAS) of my Department in emergency accommodation in hotels and guest houses. My Department does not disclose the location of emergency accommodation centres in order to protect the identity of international protection applicants.  

Refugees who are admitted to Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) by way of resettlement from UNHCR camps in Lebanon and Jordan are accommodated in Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres (EROCs) before they are settled in communities across the country. There are currently two dedicated EROCs, in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon and in Clonea, Co. Waterford. There are also a number of dedicated EROC spaces in the Mosney Accommodation Centre due to its suitability for families. 

">IPAS Accommodation