Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 July 2018
44. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in direct provision who have had their asylum application granted but remain in the system; the reason these persons remain in the system; his plans to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29642/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of persons that have some form of a permission to remain in the State and still residing in RIA accommodation at the end of June 2018 was 586.
My Department cannot definitively state the individual reason(s) why a person or family may remain in accommodation centres. Anecdotally it is known that some families may not move house during the school terms and especially so when one of the family may be undertaking state examinations. As a result, any moves that may take place in these circumstances could happen between June and August.
In the last number of years, residents report on the difficulties in sourcing suitable accommodation, especially in the Dublin/greater Dublin area, surrounding counties and other large urban areas.
My Department has provided funding through the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund to NGOs to provide supports to persons with status to move into permanent homes. The Department has also contracted with an approved housing body to identify suitable accommodation and provide practical assistance to residents to transfer to permanent homes in communities. This partnership began in the Dublin area and is expected to be extended to assist residents in other accommodation centres outside of Dublin.
