Written answers
Tuesday, 8 September 2020
Department of Justice and Equality
Direct Provision System
Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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895. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if all outstanding direct provision centre inspection reports will be published on the website of her Department; if her attention has been drawn to instances in which reports dating back to 2018 remain unpublished; and the reason for same. [21125/20]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Direct Provision centre inspection reports up to mid 2018 were published on a dedicated website www.ria-inspections.gov.ie. Due to technical difficulties with that website, subsequent reports have been published on a separate website www.ria.gov.ie where reports of inspections up to March 2020 are available.
As a result of the health and safety restrictions with respect to the COVID-19 crisis, it has not been possible for the scheduled inspections of our permanent accommodation centres to be carried out since mid March. As soon as the HSE advises that it is appropriate to commence the inspections again, the relevant officials in the Immigration Service will resume the inspection process.
Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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896. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in direct provision; the number of households in direct provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21171/20]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The State is obliged under domestic and international law to examine the application of anyone who arrives at the State to claim international protection. While we are examining their application, all applicants are offered accommodation and other supports such as healthcare, education for children and a weekly payment for personal expenditure. The provision of accommodation is demand-led, based on the number of applicants arriving to claim international protection and requiring accommodation.
While the HSE advice is that non-family members sharing a room in congregated settings are considered to be a household during the COVID-19 crisis, my Department does not maintain data on the number of such households.
The best available information is that, as of 30 August 2020, there were 7,056 residents being accommodated in Direct Provision centres, of whom 3,804 belong to a family group. These 3,804 residents belong to 1,185 individual family groups.
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