Written answers

Wednesday, 29 July 2020

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Direct Provision System

Photo of Jennifer WhitmoreJennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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267. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the fact that LocalLink has refused a request to marginally alter its bus route to include direct provision residents in a centre (details supplied); if her Department provides transport provision for these residents; if not, the way in which it is expected that residents can travel to the next town to carry out their daily duties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19441/20]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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During the school year, the centre to which the Deputy refers runs a daily bus into Wicklow Town for adult education classes (twice daily on Tuesday and Wednesday). The centre also runs a daily bus to Ashford crèche for the afternoon session. 

In addition the following transport service is available for residents of the accommodation centre:

- A bus leaves the centre at 11am every Friday and Sunday for church services, returning at 2pm. The bus drops residents to places of worship in Bray and the greater Dublin area, including the Islamic Cultural Centre and the Mosque in Clonskeagh, Dublin 14.

- Every Sunday, a bus brings residents to Tesco in Greystones. Residents are collected at 7:30am and the bus returns when everyone has finished their shopping. There is an agreement with Tesco to allow all residents into the store at 8am.

- Every three weeks, a bus brings residents into Wicklow Town for grocery shopping in Aldi and Lidl.

I am advised that the nearest bus stop to the centre is 2.3km away in Ashford for services from Ashford to Dublin City Centre and Dublin Airport and runs every hour.

There is also a Local link that operates from Ashford to Nutgrove every Thursday, and from Ashford to Liffey Valley Shopping Centre on the third Thursday of every month. There is also a service from Ashford to Wicklow on the first, third and fifth Thursday of the month.

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