Pearse Doherty
Question:201. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if security at a hotel (details supplied) is being paid for by his Department. [11834/19]
View answerDáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 March 2019
201. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if security at a hotel (details supplied) is being paid for by his Department. [11834/19]
View answerIn January and again in September of last 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. This accommodation is for those seeking international protection, namely asylum seekers.
As the Deputy is aware, the Caislean Mara Hotel in Moville was selected to provide accommodation and ancillary services to protection applicants but, following an arson attack on the Hotel in late November 2018, it has not been possible to open the centre.
In these circumstances, it has been decided that the Department will cover security costs on a temporary basis, subject to on-going review.