Vol. 518 No. 3
255 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of asylum seekers currently in emergency accommodation; the numbers of centres providing emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11803/00]
The Government decided last September that asylum seekers should be resettled around the country and have their needs met by direct provision. The directorate for asylum support services was established in November 1999 under the aegis of my Department and, is responsible, inter alia, for meeting the accommodation needs of asylum seekers. The directorate has been accommodating asylum seekers under these new arrangements since 10 April and up to 14 April has placed 226 asylum seekers in four centres.
Prior to 10 April 2000, the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers was handled, in the main, by the Eastern Health Board in whose administrative area the majority of asylum seekers are located. Since last November, however, the Eastern Regional Health Authority has had to accommodate some asylum seekers coming to the country in accommodation sourced by the directorate.
In the time available it has not been possible to collate all of the information requested. However, arrangements are being made to have the information procured from the health boards and supplied to the Deputy.
