Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 November 2016
57. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of asylum seekers in direct provision awaiting a decision on their right to refugee status; the number of persons who have been granted refugee status but are still living in direction provision centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33924/16]
View answerAt the end of October 2016 there were approximately 4,300 persons availing of State provided accommodation. Approximately 400 of those persons have some form of permission (not exclusively refugee status) to remain in the State. The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of those resident in State provided accommodation that are awaiting a decision on their right to refugee status is not currently to hand but I will follow up directly with the Deputy on this matter in due course.
While residents who have received some form of permission to remain in the State cease to be ordinarily entitled to accommodation supports provided by RIA, RIA have always continued to provide such persons with continued accommodation until they secure their own private accommodation. RIA are particularly mindful of the reality of the housing situation in the State and the pressures on the Community Welfare Service in respect of Rent Supplement or the City and County Councils in respect of Housing Assistance Payments and Housing Lists. That said, the State has been criticised for the length of time persons spend in Direct Provision and accordingly, the various relevant State bodies must all work together to transition persons granted status out of the system as quickly as possible.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to your recent Parliamentary Question (No. 57 of 9 November 2016) where you sought:
"...number of asylum seekers in direct provision awaiting a decision on their right to refugee status; the number of persons who have been granted refugee status but are still living in direction provision centres..."
As you will recall, the information in relation to the numbers awaiting a decision on their right to refugee status could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact you again.
I can now inform you that as of the end of October 2016, some 1,050 persons were awaiting a decision on their initial claim for refugee status. In addition to this just over 950 were waiting for a decision on their appeal against a refusal of refugee status.
