Vol. 518 No. 4
225 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of meetings officials from his Department had with local authorities and community groups in Kildare town prior to a decision made in relation to the relocation of asylum seekers in the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11886/00]
In light of the urgent accommodation needs of asylum seekers, the Government decided on 28 March 2000 that mobile home accommodation be provided for asylum seekers in the former army barracks in Kildare. The decision was taken in the context of a package of urgent measures to deal with asylum, refugee and immigration matters, including the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers. There were no meetings at official level with local authorities or community groups in advance of the Government meeting.
The number of asylum seekers entering the country has increased dramatically in recent years but particularly since July of last year. On the basis of recent trends, it is anticipated that between 12,000 and 15,000 persons will claim asylum in Ireland during 2000. It is against this background and the need to respond urgently to an emergency situation that the decisions taken by the Government last month arise.
The Directorate for Asylum Support Services, which was established in November 1999 under the aegis of my Department, is responsible, inter alia, for meeting the accommodation needs of asylum seekers. Since then the priority of the directorate has had to be the sourcing of accommodation on an urgent basis. The alternative, which is unacceptable, is to have asylum seekers sleeping on the streets and in parks.
With effect from 10 April 2000, the directorate has taken over the allocation of all accommodation to asylum seekers. New structures and arrangements have been put in place which will facilitate both the preparation of asylum seekers and the provision of information to local communities. Under the new arrangements, asylum seekers will be accommodated at initial reception centres in Dublin for a period of one to two weeks for the purposes, inter alia, of needs assessment and processing of the initial stages of their asylum applications before being resettled at other locations around the country. The directorate recently took possession of three initial reception centres in Dublin. Meetings with local community representatives were arranged in each case prior to opening. From the week commencing 17 April, 2000 staff from the Directorate will be arranging and attending similar meetings at locations all around the country including Kildare where asylum seekers are to be resettled. On 4 April 2000, representatives from the directorate met a deputation of interests from Kildare in relation to the accommodation of asylum seekers at the former army barracks.
226 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if extra staff such as doctors and nurses will be employed to meet the demands of the asylum seekers who are to be relocated in Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11887/00]
The Directorate for Asylum Support Services, which was established in November 1999 under the aegis of my Department is responsible for accommodating and co-ordinating the provision of services to asylum seekers.
Under new arrangements in place since 10 April asylum seekers are being accommodated at initial reception centres in Dublin for a period of one to two weeks for the purposes, inter alia, of needs assessment before being resettled at other locations around the country. Health screening is among the services being made available at initial reception centres. Where necessary, appropriate follow up treatment will be arranged as soon as possible after arrival.
The question of additional resources for the health services in areas where asylum seekers are to be resettled is a matter for the local health board.
