Written answers

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Direct Provision System

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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438. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of refugees currently housed in emergency reception and orientation centres here; the number of such centres here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31015/20]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Persons arriving in Ireland under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) are initially accommodated in Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres (EROCs).

Two dedicated EROCs are currently in operation:

- The Abbeyfield Hotel, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon

- The Clonea Strand Hotel, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

In addition, there are currently 200 dedicated EROC places within the Mosney Accommodation Centre, due to its particular suitability for families. The table below sets out the number of refugees currently residing in each centre on week ending 11 October 2020.

EROCs No.
Abbeyfield Hotel  115
Clonea Strand Hotel 17
Mosney 117
Total 249

The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established in 2015 in response to the migration crisis in central and southern Europe. Under this programme, the Government committed to accepting up to 4,000 people into the State, primarily through a combination of the EU Relocation Programme and the UNHCR's Refugee Resettlement Programme.

To date, more than 3,350 people have arrived in the State under this first phase of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP).  Most of the remaining people will arrive under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme Humanitarian Admissions Programme (IHAP). 

Last December, a second phase of the IRPP was announced giving a commitment to welcome a further 2,900 refugees between this year and 2023, through a combination of resettlement and community sponsorship.

We are awaiting the arrival of a further 230 people from Lebanon. This cohort who have been security cleared following a selection process carried out in March of this year by officials implementing the IRPP. 

In addition, we  will shortly welcome up to 50 people in family groups from Greece following the recent fire that almost completely destroyed the Moria camp on the island of Lesbos.  My officials are liaising with the European Commission on the detail of this additional commitment under the IRPP, and together with members of An Garda Síochána will travel to Greece in the coming weeks to make the arrangements for their safe passage to Ireland.

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