Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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632. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of direct provision centres currently available and inhabited throughout the country; the extent to which he and his Department continue to endeavour to meet the needs of those for whom such centres were provided initially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26388/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Please see, in tabular format, the accommodation types and current occupancy of International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres as of 21 May 2023.

My Department is responsible for providing accommodation and services to international protection applicants (IPAs) while their application for international protection is being assessed. In addition to accommodation, IPAs are provided with three meals per day in their accommodation centre.

They are also entitled to a Daily Expense Allowance that is paid at the rate of €38.80 per adult per week or €29.80 per dependant child per week.

Other State services for IPAs are mainstreamed, and applicants access them through the same referral pathways as Irish citizens. Health service referrals, including referrals to disability and mental health services, are made through primary care, GP referral and emergency services. Education is also fully mainstreamed, and children have the same access to educational supports as Irish nationals.