John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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939. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in direct provision centres both permanent and temporary in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15418/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Grand Hotel is currently the only permanent accommodation centre in County Wicklow and, as of 5 July 2020, is accommodating 87 residents.

In order to protect the identity of international protection applicants, my Department does not disclose the location of emergency accommodation centres. However, I can confirm that as of 5 July 2020, there are 198 persons living in emergency accommodation in County Wicklow.

My Department is working very hard to ensure that residents in emergency accommodation are re-accommodated in a dedicated accommodation centres as quickly as possible.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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940. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of phone calls received by a freephone helpline (details supplied) from residents in direct provision centres in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15419/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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A confidential Freephone telephone support service, funded by but independent of my Department, was established in May 2020 to provide further support to residents in both permanent and temporary accommodation centres during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Freephone helpline is operated by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). As the service is confidential, the data from the calls is not disaggregated either by centre or by county.

Since the commencement of the service on 20 May, the helpline has received 175 individual calls. The table below provides a summary of calls received for the reporting period 20 May 2020 to 30 June 2020.

Summary of Helpline Calls Received 20/05/2020 - 30/06/2020

A total of 5 JRS operators were available on a rotational basis during this time, working on the helpline at the following times:

Monday: 10AM – 1PM / 2PM – 4PM

Tuesday: 10AM – 1PM / 2PM – 4PM

Thursday: 10AM – 1PM / 2PM – 4PM

Friday: 10AM – 1PM / 2PM – 4PM

A voicemail service is available outside of these days and times with calls returned during working hours.