Brendan Howlin
Ceist:52 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals for the provision of adequate accommodation for asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11185/00]
Written Answers. - Asylum Seekers.
In November 1999 the Government established the Directorate for Asylum Support Services to co-ordinate the sourcing of suitable accommodation for asylum seekers and their resettlement at locations around the country. Until then most asylum seekers had been accommodated in Dublin's inner city. This is no longer possible due to a serious shortage of accommodation in the capital.
The directorate, in consultation with the appropriate authorities, is continuing to examine the suitability of accommodation offered by proprietors of hotels, hostels, guesthouses and other privately owned properties throughout the country in response to media advertisements placed by my Department in the autumn. It is anticipated that approximately 2,000 places can be made available in this way. It is clear, however, that there will not be a sufficient supply of privately owned accommodation to meet requirements.
On the basis of the current inflow of applicants to Ireland for asylum, the estimated accommodation requirement this year, over and above existing accommodation, is approximately 8,000 places. The ideal way to meet this requirement, obviously, is by providing permanently built accommodation and this is what I intend to do. The Government has decided that permanent accommodation for 4,000 asylum seekers is to be constructed. It is not possible to provide such accommodation immediately however, and other measures have to be taken in the short to medium term to ensure that sufficient accommodation of an adequate standard is available.
Consequently, on 28 March 2000 the Government approved my proposals for a mix of temporary accommodation to meet current projections in relation to the number of places required. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that requirements must be kept under continuous review in the light of the number of persons applying for asylum.
Specifically, the Government has approved the provision of 4,000 places in prefabricated accommodation, 1,000 places in mobile homes, and 1,000 places in flotels.