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Direct Provision System

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2020

Tuesday, 16 June 2020

Questions (361)

Martin Kenny

Question:

361. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons approved for asylum who remain in direct provision accommodation as at 31 May 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11160/20]

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Written answers

A total of 916 people living in Direct Provision accommodation have an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection) or a permission to remain in the State, as of the end of May 2020. These residents have the same entitlement to access housing supports and services as citizens and EEA nationals.

Considerable work is being undertaken to support these residents to move out of accommodation centres and into secure permanent accommodation. My Department has a specific team who work in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Jesuit Refugee Service, the Peter McVerry Trust, officials in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and the City and County Managers Association to collectively support residents with status or permission to remain to access their housing options. 

Since the beginning of the year and up to the end of May 2020, a total of 433 persons have moved from Direct Provision accommodation into the community. This compares with a figure of 203 people the previous year (2019), when the project commenced. We will continue to work with the remaining residents to assist them to do the same.

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