Vol. 536 No. 3
227 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide details on the proposed refugee holding centre planned for Balseskin, County Dublin; the number of persons which this facility will accommodate; the company which will operate the facility; and the full range of services which will be provided. [14314/01]
A request for tender for the provision of a fully managed facility – that is, site, buildings, full management and catering facilities – to accommodate up to 400 asylum seekers, including infants and children, on the tenderer's own site and within a ten mile radius of Dublin Airport was published in the national print media in November 2000. Arising from that competition, a number of companies have submitted proposals and, following detailed evaluation of these, the Office of Public Works together with the reception and integration agency of my Department are currently finalising arrangements for the placing of a contract to the successful tenderer.
The facility in question, as well as being a low rise accommodation centre modelled on similar facilities used extensively throughout Europe, will also contain full medical, welfare and recreation facilities on site. In line with Government policy on this matter, a number of other such facilities are planned on sites adjacent to major cities and towns throughout the country.
