Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2015
193. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of asylum seekers who have been granted asylum status but are unable to exit their direct provision accommodation because of their inability to source alternative accommodation; her plans to address this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36878/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform, arising from its discussions on the Report of the Working Group on improvements to the Protection process, decided that the Minister of State for New Communities, Culture and Equality convene a Taskforce, as recommended in the Report, to examine the mechanisms and supports for the transitioning of persons granted status from the Direct Provision system. The work of the Taskforce is key as it is essential that persons who are granted status are supported in transitioning out of the Direct Provision system and thus do not spend any longer than is necessary in the system once a positive decision on their case has been made. The Taskforce has met on a number of occasions and has progressed a number of matters including the sourcing of appropriate accommodation in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, the production of an information pack on the range of services and supports that are available for those in the system with status and the rolling out of a Pilot Information Programme for persons granted status in a number of areas throughout the country. The Taskforce is expected to report to the Cabinet Committee shortly.
There are currently some 470 persons who have been granted status in the State residing in direct provision accommodation whilst seeking alternative accommodation. Many are recent grants and the figure is constantly fluctuating in line with decisions to grant status on the one hand and movement out of direct provision accommodation on the other. It should be noted that when the Working Group considered the matter the figure stood at almost 700. It should also be noted that over 86% of persons granted status exit direct provision accommodation in less than 6 months.
