Question:
232 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will establish a reception group for asylum seekers entering Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7906/98]
Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.
Question:
233 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will establish a forum for all agencies and community groups handling refugees to include the Eastern Health Board and community groups from areas in which asylum seekers have been housed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7907/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 232 and 233 together.
I am not clear as to what the Deputy has in mind in his first question. At present almost all asylum seekers make their first contact with the Irish authorities at either my Department or the appropriate health board. Where contact is made with one of these bodies, the asylum seeker is automatically referrred to the other body so that their immediate reception needs are met, i.e. they make their asylum claim and their supplementary welfare and accommodation needs are considered. As stated previously, it is proposed that the new accommodation being provided for the asylum division of my Department will also house the Eastern Health Board refugee unit, the UNHCR and a legal advice centre for asylum seekers. This will be a one stop shop, as it were, for asylum seekers.
As I stated in my contribution to the debate on the Asylum Seekers (Regularisation of Status) (No. 2) Bill, 1998, on 10 March, the Government accepted a recommendation from an interdepartmental committee that all appropriate assistance should be given by the relevant public bodies to faciliate the integration of recognised refugees into Irish society. I am currently considering how this recommendation might best be implemented.