Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for the accommodation of International Protection applicants lies under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Any questions regarding these issues should be directed to his Department. As the Deputy will be aware, that Department has made available secure tented accommodation to persons who had otherwise been sleeping in tents in the area referred to.

As the Deputy will also be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for operational policing matters, including distribution of Garda members to any specific area.

While as Minister I have no direct role in these operational policing matters, I have been assured by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána takes its duty to protect all people in Ireland very seriously, including those seeking refuge in Ireland.