Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Nov 2001

Vol. 545 No. 2

Written Answers. - Asylum Seeker Accommodation.

Liam Burke

Question:

144 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who offered their premises to provide accommodation for asylum seekers in Cork city and county; and his plans to rent or purchase a hotel (details supplied) in County Cork for asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30202/01]

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

The Reception and Integration Agency – RIA – is responsible, inter alia, for meeting the accommodation needs of asylum seekers under the system of dispersal and direct provision which was introduced in April 2000. Under the system, the agency provides full board accommodation to asylum seekers in a number of settings including hostels, guesthouses and former hotels while their claims for refugee status are being determined. In this connection, in accordance with Government policy, the RIA conducts assessments of properties offered by persons in all areas of the State on an ongoing basis. However, a large number of such properties are found to be unsuitable.

Asylum Seekers are currently accommodated in the following locations in Cork:

Cork City	Capacity
North Quay Place	274
Cork Airport Hotel, Kinsale Road	72
Island View House, Morrison Quay	110
Total	456

Cork County	Capacity
An Poc Fada, Cobh	43
Ashbourne House Hotel, Glounthaune	114
Golflinks Hotel, Glengarriff	65
Lakeside House, Millstreet	60
The Mall, Youghal	12
Slip House, Bantry	40
Clonakilty Lodge, Clonakilty	95
Total	429

The RIA currently has a portfolio of 77 accommodation centres and nine reception centres located across 25 counties.

The RIA has entered into a short-term memorandum of agreement with the proprietor of the Glenvera Hotel, Wellington Road, Cork city, for the provision of full board accommodation and ancillary services for up to 100 asylum seekers, mainly couples. Under the terms of the memorandum of agreement, the proprietor must ensure that the premises complies and operates in accordance with all relevant statutory requirements of the local authority and other agencies in relation to planning, building by-laws, bedroom capacity, food, food hygiene, water supply, sewage disposal, fire precautions and general safety.

The proprietor of the hotel is also required to monitor its operation on an ongoing basis so as to minimise any impact on the local community. In accordance with normal practice, in bringing the hotel on stream, the RIA will adopt a sensitive approach to making placements and numbers will be built up on a phased basis.

It should be noted that the proprietor of the Glenvera Hotel also provides similar accommodation at Ashbourne House Hotel, Glounthaune, and An Poc Fada, Cobh, both of which the agency has determined, on foot of regular unannounced inspections by its inspectorate, to be operating satisfactorily.