Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 3

Written Answers. - Asylum Seekers.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

385 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the negotiations taking place and the properties purchased regarding the housing of refugees in County Mayo; the plans his Department have to disperse refugees into County Mayo; the centres they will be dispersed in; and if he will provide a full breakdown of the figures, including the number of proposed refugees. [5918/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

The Directorate for Asylum Support Services which is responsible, inter alia, for meeting the accommodation needs of asylum seekers is providing accommodation for asylum seekers in County Mayo as follows:

Property	Current Nos.
The Quiet Man Hostel, Abbey Street, Cong	23
Hughes House, Castlebar	24
Céide House, Ballycastle	11
Total	58

No properties have been purchased in County Mayo for accommodating asylum seekers by the Office of Public Works which is responsible for property purchases under the Government's asylum seeker accommodation programme.

In accordance with Government policy, the directorate is assessing the potential of accommodation offers in all regions throughout the State. In line with normal practice, I do not propose to release details of these properties until such time as the arrangements in relation to them have been agreed and all relevant formalities concluded.