Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - Utilisation of Premises.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

546 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has completed the purchase of a premises (details supplied) in County Carlow; if it is now the intention of his Department and the executive agency with responsibility for refugees not to proceed with the utilisation of these premises for the temporary housing of asylum seekers due to its rural location; the plans he has in conjunction with the Office of Public Works who purchased the property on behalf of the Department of Justice, for the utilisation of these premises; if he has received a request from an organisation (details supplied) for the use of the premises for people with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12136/01]

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

Following the purchase of Myshall Retreat Centre, County Carlow, by the Office of Public Works for use as an accommodation centre for asylum seekers, representations were made by the South-Eastern Health Board and the Irish Society for Autism seeking to have the property made available for use as a residential service for children with disabilities who require specialist care.

Both organisations indicated that there is a shortage of such facilities in this country and that the property would be suitable for accommodating such a service subject to refurbishment and other modifications being undertaken.

While the Reception and Integration Agency which is responsible,inter alia, for meeting the accommodation needs of asylum seekers, continues to operate against the backdrop of a severe shortage of accommodation, it is not my intention that such accommodation should be sourced to the detriment of vulnerable groups such as children with disabilities. In these circumstances, I directed that the Office of Public Works be informed that I had no objections to the property being made available to the South-Eastern Health Board for use as a centre for these children.