Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2019
253. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of residents in direct provision granted refugee status or subsidiary protection; the cost of retaining these residents in direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39351/19]
View answerI am informed by officials in the Immigration Service of my Department that, as of 31 August 2019, 479 people with a Protection status grant, being either Refugee or Subsidiary Protection status, were residing in accommodation centres provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service.
The spending review on Direct Provision published on 15 August 2019, showed that last year, the average daily rate per person in commercially owned centres was €35.50 rising to €44.00 per person in centres where independent living is provided. This is very competitive and importantly offers value for money for the taxpayer. It remains a target that all centres by the end of 2020 will provide independent living facilities.
The spending review was prepared by my Department with key input from the International Protection Accommodation Service of the Department.
For the Deputy's further information the published review is available at the following link:
http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Spending_Review.pdf/Files/Spending_Review.pdf
People with an international protection status have the same access to mainstream housing supports and services as Irish nationals. We are working intensively with organisations like the Peter McVerry Trust, Depaul and the Jesuit Refugee Service to assist these people to transition to mainstream housing services but that is challenging in the current housing environment.
Officials from the International Protection Accommodation Service of my Department meet regularly with colleagues from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and with staff from the City and County Manager's Association (CCMA) to work collectively to ensure those with status or permission to remain are assisted to move on to longer term accommodation as soon as possible.
