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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 5

Written Answers. - Asylum Seekers Accommodation.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

446 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the proposal from the directorate for asylum support services to transfer up to 200 asylum seekers to accommodation (details supplied) in Eyre Square, Galway, County Galway; his views on whether this accommodation is adequate for such a number; his further views on whether six adults should share a bedroom 13' 9" by 20' 6"; the recreational facilities that are provided there; if the dining room can accommodate 200 people; if there is any open space attached to this building; if he considers Eyre Square a suitable location for 200 asylum seekers in view of the recent adverse publicity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23059/00]

The directorate for asylum support services was established in November 1999 under the aegis of my Department with responsibility, inter alia, for meeting the accommodation needs of asylum seekers. Due to the acute shortage of accommodation in Dublin, the Government decided that newly arrived asylum seekers should be dispersed throughout the country. Prior to this, most asylum seekers had been accommodated in Dublin.

Following inspection of the premises at Great Western House, Frenchville Lane, Eyre Square, Galway city by the directorate, it was found to be suitable for the accommodation of asylum seekers and a contract was entered into with the proprietor.

The accommodation centre is a hostel which has Bord Fáilte approval to accommodate 280 guests per night. The directorate has contracted for the full use of the hostel to accommodate 207 asylum seekers – 75% of the centre's capacity – on a phased basis and commenced accommodating asylum seekers there in September. The current occupancy is 135. The directorate has asked management at the centre to maintain liaison with the local environmental health services in relation to the bedroom plan for the centre so as to ensure that any regulatory requirements in this regard are met.
The centre provides TVs in bedrooms where possible. There is a dedicated television room and a games room. There is also a self-catering kitchen and dining room with TV which acts as a further communal facility.
The capacity for seating in the restaurant area during meal times is 60 persons and an additional 40 persons can be seated in an additional dining room. Management at the centre is satisfied that the seating provided is adequate to cater for the numbers to be accommodated.
The premises is located in the city centre with access to a full range of services. In common with the practice in place in relation to all accommodation centres contracted for use by the directorate, the operation of this centre is monitored, by reference to a number of issues, on an ongoing basis.
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