Marian McGennis
Question:28 Ms M. McGennis asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of asylum seekers in the south Dublin area; and the facilities and supports and expenditure involved. [13372/00]
Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.
Marian McGennis
Question:47 Ms M. McGennis asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of asylum seekers in the Dublin 8, 10 and 12 postal areas; and the facilities, supports and expenditure involved. [14057/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 47 together.
I understand the Deputy is concerned only with the numbers of asylum seekers living in the specific Dublin postal areas mentioned.
The Directorate for Asylum Support Services, which operates under the aegis of my Department, has been responsible since 10 April last for accommodating asylum seekers. Under the current arrangements asylum seekers are accommodated at initial reception centres in Dublin for a period of one to two weeks for the purposes of needs assessment, the provision of information and the processing of the initial stages of their asylum applications before being resettled at other locations around the country. An initial reception centre at Francis Street, Dublin 8, has a capacity of 110. The directorate also uses an accommodation centre at Harrington Street, Dublin 8, which has a capacity of 25.
Prior to 10 April, the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers was handled, in the main, by the Eastern Health Board, in whose administrative area the majority of asylum seekers are located. Asylum seekers who have been accommodated by the Eastern Health Board are free to re-locate to other accommodation, if they so wish. While their applications for refugee status are being processed asylum seekers are obliged to make their addresses known to my Department and must also inform the Department of any change of address. Records at the Refugee Applications Centre, which is responsible for the processing of asylum applications, indicate that there are currently 1,799 asylum seekers living in Dublin 8, 18 in Dublin 10 and 113 in Dublin 12. However, it is difficult to be absolutely certain about the accuracy of these figures as not all asylum applicants notify changes of address.
Asylum seekers are entitled to a range of services while waiting to have their applications pro cessed. For example, subject to satisfying means tests, asylum seekers are entitled to allowances under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme and medical cards. They are entitled to the same health services as Irish medical card holders. The children of asylum seekers can avail of free primary and secondary education. These services are provided by a number of different Government Departments or agencies and the expenditure involved is a matter for the Departments and agencies concerned.