Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 September 2014
99. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of providing direct provision services in the years 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and allocated for 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36012/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of protection applicants in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Direct provision provides for full board accommodation supports while a final decision is awaited by a person on their protection or any related leave to remain application.
Currently, there are over 4,300 persons availing of direct provision accommodation and supports in 34 accommodation centres across 16 counties. The expenditure outturn for the accommodation costs incurred by RIA in the last three years is as follows:
|
Year |
Outturn |
|
2013 |
€55.2m |
|
2012 |
€62.3m |
|
2011 |
€69.5m |
The 2014 Estimate Provision for RIA is €51.9 million. More detailed information on the breakdown of costs associated with the Direct Provision system can be found on the Annual Reports for the years in question on RIA's website - www.ria.gov.ie.
It should be noted that the direct provision system is only one element of the State’s response to its international obligations on the asylum issue. As well as educational, health and welfare costs, there is the asylum determination system itself, as well as the downstream judicial and policing costs. All countries which take their responsibilities in this area seriously are faced with similar calls on their financial resources. For example, it was estimated that in the period 2005 to 2009 inclusive, the total amount spent across the whole of Government on asylum seekers was €1,275.31 million, of which €424.43 million was spent on the direct provision system.
