Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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550. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will urgently review transport services for the residents of a centre (details supplied); if he will ensure that a full assessment of the residents' transport needs are carried out as part of this review; if he is aware that there are currently just two buses per day which the residents can avail of and neither of these travel at suitable times for employment. [21620/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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There are currently 105 International Protection Applicant's (IPAs) residing in Temple Spa Accommodation Centre, Horsleap, Co Westmeath.

Following consultation with the centre management they have advised the following: Per our contract we provide daily transport to our nearest town (Moate) to access the shop, school, doctor and post office – we provide 2 buses per day which was requested by residents to facilitate college courses in Moate Business College and meeting regional bus times which leave Moate.

There are no GP appointments/hospital appointments before 9am.

In an exceptional circumstance the DEASP will provide a taxi for those who do not have status.

The bus to Athlone every Saturday is an additional bus service which the centre provides outside of our contract – less than 10 residents travel to Athlone every Saturday."

My officials have advised that a review of transport in Temple Accommodation Centre will take place over the coming weeks.