Vol. 518 No. 6
488 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps taken by way of statutory instrument, agreement or arrangement by, with or between him, the Central Directorate for Asylum Services, the Office of Public Works and the health boards in respect of direct provision for the needs of asylum seekers; the basis which has been relied upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12788/00]
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 the system of direct provision in place since 10 April last, the directorate has been accommodating newly arrived asylum seekers in full-board accommodation. The directorate has entered into contracts with the proprietors of hotels, hostels and guesthouses for the provision of such accommodation. The Office of Public Works has also purchased and leased certain properties on behalf of the directorate for the provision of full-board accommodation to asylum seekers and has identified a number of public sector sites suitable for development under the accommodation programme for asylum seekers. It is a general function of the Office of Public Works to lease and purchase properties on behalf of the State. Where necessary, I have made orders under section 2 (2) of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1993, which allows, for reasons of emergency, for exemption from the provisions of the Planning Acts.
