Martin Kenny
Question:362. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in the direct provision and emergency accommodation system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11161/20]
View answerTuesday, 16 June 2020
Questions (362)
Written answers
The State has a legal obligation to offer accommodation, food and a range of other services (including utilities and healthcare etc.) to any person who claims a right to international protection in Ireland while their claim for protection is being examined.
As of 7 June 2020, a total of 7,387 people are being provided with accommodation in permanent and temporary locations by my Department.
This figure includes 5,552 persons resident in our 45 dedicated accommodation centres located nationwide and a further 1,500 persons resident in temporary commercial premises such as hotels and guesthouses. Every effort is being made to re-accommodate applicants from these temporary locations to a dedicated accommodation centre as quickly as possible.
The figure of 7,387 people also includes 335 people accommodated in the Balseskin Reception Centre in Dublin. The purpose of the Reception Centre is to provide a short orientation period and the necessary supports and services for people newly arrived in the State before being accommodated in centres around the country. During their stay in Balseskin, international protection applicants are offered health screening and are processed for PPS numbers and medical cards. This ensures that residents can access the Daily Expenses Allowance and any necessary medical supports once they have been allocated their accommodation.
Residents who have been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals. However, due to delays in accessing other accommodation, there are 916 residents, as of the end of May 2020, in accommodation centres with a protection status or humanitarian permission to remain in the State.
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 housing options. A total of 433 persons with status have moved into the community to the end of May 2020 this year compared with a figure of 203 for the same period last year.