Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
552. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the eviction of a person (details supplied) from their accommodation in Knocklasheen direct provision centre in November 2017 was the result of a fair process in view of the lack of notice, an ability to contest evidence and to appeal the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55199/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department oversees the provision of accommodation for applicants for international protection while their application is being processed.
The Agency oversees the provision of accommodation for applicants for international protection while their application is being processed. Not every applicant takes up the offer of that accommodation and many chose not to do so. In addition some residents move out of that accommodation and live with friends or families. Part of the role of RIA and individual centre management is to ensure that those who request and are allocated accommodation within the RIA portfolio are using it on a consistent basis. This accommodation is provided to protection applicants on the understanding that they will be living there in the normal course.
Save in the most exceptional of circumstances for stated and repeated serious breaches of house rules and for the safety of other residents, no person has ever been evicted from any accommodation centre.
In the case raised by the Deputy, the RIA is satisfied that the person in question was not using the bedspace and accordingly decided to deem it to be abandoned and to allocate it to another protection applicant was correct.
The decision to deem that the bedspace was not being used was based on a number of facts. Centre management visited the residents room almost daily over a period of two weeks as they needed to discuss a service issue with him. It was clear that the bed had not been slept in and the room not used in that two week period. In addition, he was not seen onsite. RIA staff were in the centre on four occasions around this time and on none of these occasions was the person there. As per the procedures, the resident was issued with a warning letter which in turn was followed up by a letter stating that the bedspace was deemed abandoned by the resident in this case.
The Deputy will appreciate that in the context of the current pressures facing RIA, they must ensure that if accommodation is not being used consistently then it must be re-allocated to persons in greater need of that accommodation.
