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Direct Provision System

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 3 December 2021

Friday, 3 December 2021

Ceisteanna (41)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

41. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of direct provision centres that have been closed since the publication of the White Paper for Ending Direct Provision. [59475/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will appreciate from statements I have made from the outset of our reform programme for Ending Direct Provision, in order to meet our legal obligations to provide accommodation and other support services for protection applicants as we transition to the new system, existing accommodation centres will continue to operate in the short to medium term; as such my Department currently utilises a mixture of state owned, commercial and temporary emergency accommodation centres.

It is our legal and moral obligation to provide accommodation to international protection applicants, who continue to arrive here, while their claim is being determined.

My Department is progressing a detailed implementation plan for the new system detailed in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and is working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and the Local Authorities on developing the new Accommodation Model and wrap-around services for residents. Significant work has already been undertaken since the publication of the White Paper, the full detail of which I believe is outlined to the Deputy in the replies to her Parliamentary Questions No 12 and No 19 today. 

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