Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 3

Written Answers. - Refugee Accommodation.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

259 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Government has purchased or leased any property or financed the purchasing or leasing by other agencies in which to house refugees or asylum seekers; if so, if he will provide a list of these properties and their locations; if there are on-going or proposed negotiations to purchase or lease any properties; if so, the location of these; the total cost to the Exchequer to date; the estimated cost in this financial year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9668/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

In accordance with Government policy in relation to the provision of accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers, the Office of Public Works has made arrangements for the purchase or lease of a number of properties.

The legal formalities in respect of purchase have been completed with the owners in three cases: the Parnell West Hotel, Parnell Square, Dublin 1; the Park Lodge Hotel, Killarney, County Kerry; Atlas House, Tralee, County Kerry.

Arrangements in relation to leases for a num ber of additional properties have also been concluded: Presentation Convent, Dungarvan, County Waterford; North Quay Place, Cork; Cork Airport Hotel, Cork; Drishane Castle, Millstreet, County Cork; Presentation Convent, Crosshaven, County Cork; Baltinglass Refugee Centre, Baltinglass, County Wicklow; Ursuline Convent, Waterford, County Waterford; Atlas House, Killarney, County Kerry.

Negotiations in respect of a number of other properties in relation to lease or purchase are in progress. In line with normal practice, I do not propose to release details of these properties until such time as the arrangements in relation to them have been agreed and relevant formalities concluded with the proprietors.

The total cost to the Exchequer to date in respect of properties purchased or leased by the Office of Public Works for use by asylum seekers and refugees is £8,403,373.30. An additional amount of £3,582,883.71 has been expended by the Office of Public Works in respect of mobile home purchases, site development, general maintenance and other ongoing costs. Due to the uncertainty in relation to properties which have not yet been purchased, or identified for purchase, I do not have details of the projected spend in the current year in this area.