Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018
305. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the transport arrangements that will be put in place for the new direct provision centre in Moville, County Donegal, to ensure asylum seekers will not have to cross the Border into Northern Ireland to access key public services and services related to their application for asylum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48238/18]
View answerIn January and again in September of this year, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department published a call for expressions of interest in the national press for premises to meet the increasing demand for accommodation for persons in the protection process (asylum seekers).
This call sought expressions of interest from parties who may be interested in providing accommodation and related services on an urgent and emergency basis. This was issued in response to the urgent and unforeseen demand for accommodation and related services from those persons arriving in the state seeking international protection.
Following on-site assessments carried out by staff in the Department, the Caisleán Mara Hotel in Moville, Co. Donegal, was deemed to be suitable premises for the needs of the Department.
As the Deputy points out, asylum seekers in the state cannot commute through Northern Ireland to access services elsewhere in the state. With this in mind, my Department has agreed with the contractor running the centre to arrange overnight accommodation/rest and comfort breaks for those travelling to Dublin at the accommodation centre that they currently run in Sligo for anyone attending interviews in the International Protection Office or indeed accessing any other state services in Dublin.
The Department will also source overnight accommodation in Dublin if required and the RIA will liaise with the International Protection Office to arrange for grouped interview appointment times so that residents of the Caisleán Mara can travel together.
I have requested the Department to examine the logistical and resource implications to establish if such business could be carried out from remote locations.
