Vol. 550 No. 4
637 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of the lease, the building programme and the support structures which will be put in place for the dispersal of refugees and asylum seekers to a new site at Dublin Road, Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9439/02]
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. The RIA is currently providing full board accommodation for close on 5,000 asylum seekers in 81 centres which are situated in 24 of the 26 counties. Currently, 89 asylum seekers are accommodated in one centre in Kilkenny on a full board basis under the system of direct provision.
In accordance with Government policy on the dispersal and provision of accommodation for asylum seekers, the Office of Public Works, arising from a public advertisement, has recently secured a four year, nine month lease, effective from the completion of construction, for a site at Leggettsrath, Dublin Road, Kilkenny on behalf of the RIA for the purpose of developing a centre for the provision of accommodation and certain ancillary services for up to 250 asylum seekers, including children. Arrangements are being made to put in place the contract for the construction of the accommodation. No development has yet commenced on site.
The facility in question will be a low-rise accommodation centre, modelled on similar facilities used extensively throughout Europe. It will be similar to other system built centres at Knockalisheen, County Clare, Cork and Dublin and it is anticipated at this stage that the centre could come on stream at the end of this year or early next year. Following its completion, placements to the centre will be made on a phased basis over a number of months.
The centre will cater, in the main, for families and will incorporate dining, communal, recreational, health and welfare facilities and appropriate landscaping works. In accordance with normal practice, representatives of the RIA have already met with representatives of Kilkenny County Council, the South-Eastern Health Board and local residents and will liaise with support service providers, including the South-Eastern Health Board, schools and voluntary groups in order to facilitate the development of support structures for asylum seekers to be accommodated at the centre.
638 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the site or sites which are being investigated in County Carlow for the purpose of dispersing asylum seekers and refugees; if he has received submissions or confirmation from individuals or companies offering such sites or facilities in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9440/02]
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.
