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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 May 2000

Vol. 518 No. 6

Written Answers. - Asylum Support Services.

Theresa Ahearn

Ceist:

474 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the additional resources he will provide to Clogheen, County Tipperary, to help the integration of the proposed number of asylum seekers for Clogheen; if the Garda station will have increased opening hours for information purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12575/00]

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. This includes the provision of information concerning services and locations at which asylum seekers are accommodated. Under arrangements in place since 10 April, asylum seekers are being accommodated by the directorate at initial reception centres in Dublin for a period of one to two weeks for the purposes, inter alia, of needs assessment and information provision, before being resettled at other locations around the country.

It is not clear why the Deputy refers to the Garda in the context of providing information, or who the Deputy has in mind in terms of who is seeking information. The provision of general information concerning services for asylum seekers is a matter for the directorate, which has a co-ordinating role, and not the Garda. The directorate has an information unit and staff attached to the unit are happy to answer inquiries from any person seeking information concerning services for asylum seekers. I should also add that it is the policy of the directorate to establish local support groups, which include directorate staff, in areas where asylum seekers are resettled and this helps to facilitate the provision of information on an ongoing basis.

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda manpower, that there are no plans for increased opening hours at Clogheen Garda station. I am also informed that there are already arrangements in place to cater for any person requiring Garda assistance at times when the Garda station is unmanned. The "greenman" facility and telephone call diversion system, both linked to the district headquarters at Cahir, come into operation at such times. Also, patrolling of the area is augmented by district patrol cars as the need arises.

With regard to the provision of additional resources, it is the policy of the directorate to make contact with the relevant service providers, such as the health boards, prior to accommodating asylum seekers in a given locality. It is a matter for the agencies concerned to make an assessment, having regard to demand, whether services can be provided from within existing resources or require additional resources.

Finally, the directorate is currently developing a policy document in relation to all aspects of reception of asylum seekers, including the development of regional and local structures to support policy and enhance the provision of services, including provision of information. It is envisaged that the policy document will be com pleted in the near future and I intend to bring proposals in this regard to Government shortly.
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