Seán Sherlock
Ceist:513. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to consider the provision of additional services for a town (details supplied) in County Kildare. [46168/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 7 November 2017
Ceisteanna (513)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, the town in question is the location of an Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC). An EROC is primarily concerned with accommodating recently arrived Syrian refugees and asylum seekers and providing them with a range of services before they are resettled in local communities nationwide. When these individuals move on, their places in the EROC are taken by further arrivals.
As the contracted capacity of the EROC in question is 143, I do not anticipate that the town will experience any significant overall increase in refugees living there. Consequently, I do not plan to significantly increase the provision of my Department's resources to the EROC.
A range of services are provided within the EROC and these are fully funded by my Department. However, the core services for those who are resident in the EROC are "mainstreamed" and every effort is made by the relevant services providers to ensure that the impact on local services is minimised. These services include, for example, services provided by the Department of Social Protection, health services provided by the HSE, education services provided in primary and post-primary schools as well as language services provided for adults through the relevant by Education and Training Boards. If the Deputy has particular concerns around service provision in the town that he believes may be impacted by the EROC then further enquiries should be made with the relevant service providers.