Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2017
110. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 107 and 108 of 7 February 2017, if the refugees currently in Mosney as part of the relocation strand of the IRPP have been informed that they will be moving to Ballaghaderreen within the coming weeks. [7178/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a number of persons are to be temporarily accommodated in the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC) to be located in Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon, under the relocation strand of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP), in early March.
It is not intended to move relocated asylum seekers from their EROC accommodation at Mosney to the EROC in Ballaghadereen. Those destined for the new Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC) in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon will be relocated asylum seekers from Greece arriving from this month onwards. Emergency accommodation is intended to provide relocated asylum seekers with the opportunity to rest, recuperate and slowly adjust to life in Ireland while their claim for international protection is processed and housing in the community is sourced. Throughout their stay in the centre their immediate needs will be met through mainstream service provision, including healthcare, schooling for children, language training and social welfare supports. During this period officials from my Department will also liaise with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and local authorities nationwide to identify appropriate long-term housing within the community. Persons within this group are expected to receive a grant of international protection under the new International Protection Act within a period of 8-12 weeks.
There are currently 39 relocated asylum seekers who arrived into Ireland this week and these families are currently residing in Balseskin Reception Centre while they undergo initial referrals for asylum applications, social protection and medical assessments before being moved to their designated Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre in Ballaghaderreen in early March. These families will be joined today by another group of 40 persons who will also be initially accommodated in Balseskin Accommodation Centre before they transfer to their EROC in Country Roscommon.
Persons who arrived from Greece in 2016 under the relocation strand of the IRPP and who are being temporarily accommodated in Mosney Accommodation Centre will remain there while their claim for international protection is processed, or for those already with status, while long-term housing in the community is sourced. While in Mosney, they will receive the same services available to residents in all other Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres.
