Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2019
240. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons that transitioned from direct provision to permanent homes in the community after being granted refugee status or subsidiary protection in 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51170/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will 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 in accommodation centres with status or permission to remain in the State.
My Department has a specific team 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 status or permission to remain to access housing options.
Since the beginning of the year, a total of 732 people with status or permission to remain have transitioned out of accommodation centres. Approximately 500 of these people moved with the assistance of the services and supports outlined above. These figures were not collected before this year, so comparable figures are not available for 2018 or earlier.
