653. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will end the practice of curfews in direct provision accommodation; and her views on whether such a practice is contrary to the dignity and autonomy of residents. [34095/14]
View answerThe Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) is a functional unit of the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department and is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers under the government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Currently, 4,311 persons are residing in 34 asylum accommodation centres under contract to RIA.
RIA's House Rules and Procedures provides for a limit on the times when a visitor can be in the centre and this is plainly necessary for the good order of the centre. Otherwise, there are no 'curfews' in accommodation centres for asylum seekers.
