The direct provision system is managed by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department. For the most part, this represents a cashless system with the State assuming responsibility for providing suitable accommodation for asylum seekers on a full board basis. Currently, there are 4,323 residents in 34 centres across the State under contract to RIA.
The following is a list showing RIA's expenditure outturn for each of the years 2005 to 2013 inclusive:
2013 - €55.228 million
2012 - €62.329 million
2011 - €69.459 million
2010 - €79.073 million
2009 - €86.509 million
2008 - €91.472 million
2007 - €83.262 million
2006 - €78.728 million
2005 - €84.382 million
RIA's annual reports further break down yearly expenditure into the broad headings of 'Commercial', 'State-owned', 'Self-catering', 'Additional Costs', 'Transport' and 'Miscellaneous'. These Annual Reports for the period 2007 to 2013 inclusive are published on www.ria.gov.ie
I will forward a more detailed table showing expenditure details on all RIA contracts for accommodation for the period 2000 to the end of 2011 to the Deputy under separate cover. I should also say in order to give the fullest picture as possible, an independent value for money review (VFM) of the direct provision system in 2010 concluded that any alternative system (which would require payment of rent allowances, welfare and related payments, etc.) would cost the State twice the amount of the direct provision system. Moreover, this cost would not have included the potential additional expenditure that would arise from the strong likelihood of the significant pull factor that would emerge from a cash-based system.