Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2019
284. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if additional information will be provided further to his officials noting at the Oireachtas Committee of Public Accounts the establishment of a unit to support persons leaving direct provision centres dedicated to working with direct provision centre managers, local authorities and non-governmental organisations; and the status of plans for the unit. [50112/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, residents who have been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals. Currently, there are approximately 819 residents with status or permission to remain.
Considerable work is being undertaken to support these residents to move out of accommodation centres and into secure permanent accommodation. My Department has a specific team working in the International Protection Accommodation Service unit who work in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Jesuit Refugee Service, the Peter McVerry Trust, officials in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and the City and County Managers Association to collectively support residents with permission to remain to access housing options.
Since the beginning of the year, a total of 732 people have transitioned out of accommodation centres. Approximately 500 of these people moved with the assistance of the services and supports outlined above.
