Vol. 536 No. 6
91 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average number of applications for asylum received in each of the months to date in 2001; the proposals he has for new accommodation for asylum seekers at Baleskin, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15000/01]
The monthly average of applications for asylum received in the first four months of 2001 was 763 applications per month with a further 505 applications this month up to 18 May 2001.
A request for tender for the provision of a fully managed facility for the accommodation of asylum seekers within a ten mile radius of Dublin Airport was published in the national print media in November 2000. The successful tenderer in relation to this competition will provide buildings, full management and catering facilities, to accommodate up to 400 asylum seekers, including infants and children, on the tenderer's own site. The facility, 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.
Arising from that competition, a number of companies have submitted proposals for such a facility. Following detailed evaluation of these proposals, 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. 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.
