Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 February 2021
557. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of adults and children remaining in direct provision centres by centre in County Wicklow after their leave to remain has been granted for the most recent date available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6963/21]
View answerI am unable to provide the information in the format requested by the Deputy.
There is an obligation under the International Protection process to protect the identity of International Protection applicants. As the breakdown of the numbers of residents in particular accommodation centres in Co Wicklow with a protection status or a permission to remain is very low, there is a possibility that they may be identifiable to others should the information be provided in the format requested.
I can inform the Deputy that there are a total of 31 persons, 21 adults and 10 children, who have been granted an International Protection status or a permission to remain by the Minister for Justice who continue to reside in the three accommodation centres operated by the International Protection Accommodation Service of my Department in Co. Wicklow.
Residents who have been granted an International Protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals and considerable work is being undertaken to support these residents to move out of accommodation centres and into secure permanent accommodation.
My Department has a specific team who work in collaboration with Depaul Ireland, the Jesuit Refugee Service, the Peter McVerry Trust, officials in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and the City and County Managers Association collectively to support residents with status or permission to remain to access housing options.
