Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2019
279. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the supports available to persons in Mosney direct provision centre who have been granted leave to remain and are seeking alternative accommodation; and the external agencies that are part of the process of support. [50107/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the State has a legal obligation to offer accommodation, food and a range of other services (including utilities and healthcare etc.) to any person who claims a right to international protection in Ireland while their legal claim is being examined.
Residents who have been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain are no longer in the international protection process. They have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals. Currently, there are 222 residents with some form of status in Mosney.
Considerable work is being undertaken to support these residents to move out of our accommodation centres and into permanent accommodation. My Department has a specific team in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) unit working on this. Their work is enhanced through the funded transitional support work provided by DePaul Ireland, the Jesuit Refugee Service and the Peter McVerry Trust. In the case of the Mosney accommodation centre, DePaul Ireland provides targeted assistance to the residents with status or permission to remain regarding their housing options. I can inform the Deputy, since the start of the year, DePaul has assisted 110 residents in Mosney to move into the wider community.
Additionally, my Department is liaising with officials in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and the City and County Managers' Association to support all residents with permission to remain in accessing housing options.
