Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
378. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons seeking international accommodation in direct provision or emergency accommodation settings that are sharing rooms with persons not related to them in groups of 2, 3, 4, 5 and so on in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9203/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, at the present time, the accommodation requirements in any centre can vary on a daily basis due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the requirements to meet HSE guidelines for residents who need to self-isolate or to cocoon. However, I can confirm to the Deputy that a maximum of three single people are now sharing a room in any of our centres.
While no more than three unrelated (single) people sharing a room was our initial aim, I am informed by my officials that the majority of the recently procured temporary accommodation are twin rooms with typically two single people sharing. I can also confirm that anyone who is in offsite self-isolation or is cocooning on age or medical grounds have their own room.
This has been achieved through the additional 850 new temporary beds added to our accommodation portfolio in response to the pandemic and the new dedicated centres opened since the start of the year in Tullamore, Cahersiveen and Rosslare Harbour.
This was seen as a very ambitious target in the short timeframe available to us before the pandemic worsened. Through intensive efforts in the early stages of this national crisis that target has been achieved.
Families and couples never share accommodation with anyone else and this category of resident represents approximately 20% of our residents who are in own-door accommodation.
The Deputy can be assured that the health and well-being of our residents is our priority. My Department and the HSE are working closely together at a national and local level to ensure this at this unprecedented time.
