Eoin Ó Broin
Ceist:560. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of adults and children with leave to remain at the end of March 2018 who are still living in direct provision. [16088/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 April 2018
Ceisteanna (560)
Freagraí scríofa
The phrase "leave to remain" in the question is being interpreted as covering persons granted any one of Refugee Status, Subsidiary Protection or Humanitarian Leave to Remain. As of the end of March 2018, there were 520 persons with a form of leave to remain who continue to reside in accommodation under contract to the Department. This total figure of 520 persons comprises 357 adults and 163 children.
The figure of 520 persons is drawn from a dynamic database that changes on a daily basis. It includes data in relation to approximately 200 persons who have been relocated to Ireland under the relocation or resettlement programme and have been accommodated in Mosney. Unfortunately it is not possible to separate this data from the data in relation to the other persons in Mosney (approximately 600). Therefore the figure of 520 persons with status will include a number of persons who arrived under the relocation programme, were accommodated in Mosney and have since been granted international protection.
RIA, which administers the system of accommodation for protection applicants, has always provided such persons with continued accommodation while they source their own accommodation and while they get their affairs in order having been granted a leave to remain. RIA is particularly mindful of the reality of the housing situation in the State and the pressures on the City and County Councils in respect of Housing Assistance Payments and Housing Lists. That said, the provision of housing for persons coming out of the protection process has been incorporated in the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
Following on from the McMahon report, my Department developed a guide to independent living for persons with status to provide practical assistance for them. The guide is available in all centres and has been published on the RIA website (www.ria.gov.ie) in a number of different languages. This was published in parallel with information sessions coordinated by the Citizens Information Bureau in accommodation centres which gave an opportunity for such persons to seek assistance and clarification on the services provided. RIA, its centre managers, Citizens Information and those City and County Councils operating the Housing Assistance Payments link with such persons in accessing the appropriate supports and services, including in respect of sourcing and securing private accommodation.
In addition, following a call for proposals under the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund, a number of charities and NGOs were awarded funding for projects with the specific aim of providing assistance to those transiting from state provided accommodation to permanent homes in the community. I am confident that the services provided with this funding will prove of great assistance and benefit to all concerned.
Assistance in moving into permanent homes in communities around Ireland is also directly provided to persons with status.
In the case of persons who have been relocated to Ireland under the EU relocation programme, we work directly with local authorities to source suitable and appropriate accommodation in the community. We also fund implementing partners through the local authorities who employ resettlement workers and intercultural workers to assist in the integration process.
In the case of persons who have been granted a leave to remain, we are in the process of engaging with the services of housing agencies and other such bodies to provide assistance and supports to persons to move in to local authority housing or the private rented sector as the case may be.