Asylum Support Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2005

Tuesday, 25 October 2005

Questions (403)

Bernard Allen

Question:

471 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Question No. 942 of 28 September 2005, the number of centres housing asylum seekers and refugees on a yearly basis from 2000 to 2005; the expenditure including differentiating between capital and other expenditure including rental on each centre on an annual basis since their opening to date in view of the fact that he refused to give the information requested to a question which was submitted on 29 August 2005 one month previously and has since failed to provide the information as promised; and if he will provide that information. [30119/05]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The information requested by the Deputy was forwarded by me on 24 October 2005. The delay in providing the substantive information sought by him is regretted. However, the level of detail required to answer the question was not readily available in electronic format and, consequently, had to be compiled by hand. This required a detailed and exhaustive analysis of a very large number of files and records dating back to 2000 and necessitated a very considerable volume of work and staff time.