Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 March 2012
430 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the current residents of the Mosney camp are to be relocated to the Bettystown Court Hotel; and if the National Asset Management Agency has agreed to finish the unfinished apartments and house them there. [13603/12]
View answerThe Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is charged with responsibility for the accommodation of asylum seekers while their applications for protection are being processed. Currently, there almost 5,300 persons accommodated in 38 RIA centres located throughout the State.
The scenario outlined in this question does not arise. RIA does not have a contract with the hotel cited by the Deputy.
As I have said in response to a number of recent Dáil Questions, it seems that there is speculation locally in relation to this hotel as to its possible future use as an asylum accommodation centre and this speculation appears to be connected to the nearby Mosney Centre, where currently 573 persons reside. There are no immediate plans to change existing arrangements in Mosney. RIA has entered into discussions with the contractor at Mosney in the context of the expiry of the current contract this June and these discussions are ongoing.
As a general point, It is not uncommon for unused hotels in locations around the country to generate such speculation but, as a matter of long standing policy, RIA never comments on procurement issues. The number of asylum seekers requiring accommodation now and in the future is under constant review.
