Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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658.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that can be taken to provide a transport link/bus stop for the people currently accommodated at Bert House, Athy, as there are is no bus stop outside the location, and the residents must walk some distance up a very busy rural road to reach public transport, which is necessary to get these people to school/nursery school, local amenities, and so on. [25324/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Department engages with relevant stakeholders and accommodation service providers as appropriate to ensure that international protection applicants placed in accommodation in isolated areas will have access to transportation for basic requirements. The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) try to ensure in as far as possible that International Protection (IP) applicants are not located in remote locations however, given the current demand for accommodation, this is not always possible.

In situations where an accommodation centre is located in an area without public transport links within a 2km radius, with manageable access, IPPS will ensure that a shuttle bus service to a nearby town or public transport stop is provided.

In the case of DeBurgh Manor/Bert House, the accommodation centre is located less than one kilometre from Kilberry, Co. Kildare, which is served by Local Link Route 883 Athy-Newbridge.

To facilitate additional transport for IP applicants residing at the accommodation centre, there is a shuttle service contracted five days a week for trips to and from the accommodation centre and Athy. The service provides a pickup and drop off from the accommodation centre, Monday to Friday. This shuttle bus service allows residents to access recreational, educational, medical facilities and other services.

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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659.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures in place to provide doctor/GP services to the people currently accommodated in Bert House, Athy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25325/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I thank the Deputy for her question. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the provision of community medical services, including doctor and GP services. I have referred this question to the HSE for response.