Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 976: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide details in tabular form of the number of asylum seekers residing in each of the 61 accommodation centres on 31 July 2008, and on the same date in each of the past five years. [30855/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. In this regard, the RIA is currently providing accommodation to over 6,800 asylum seekers in 62 centres located across 22 counties.

The following table shows the number of residents residing in each centre at 31 July in each of the five years from 2004 to 2008 inclusive.

It needs to be understood that the above figures represent a 'snapshot' of each centre at a given date each year. While capacity figures remain constant, occupancy figures can vary throughout the year because of the interaction of residents leaving (either through normal means or because of special schemes such as the Irish Born Child 2005 Scheme), residents arriving, temporary closures (such as Balseskin in July, 2006) medical restrictions on arrivals arising from outbreaks of chickenpox, and so on.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 977: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide details in tabular form of the number of independent and internal inspections in respect of each of the 61 accommodation centres which have been carried out annually in each of the past five years; the locations at which follow up inspections were required; the main reasons for downfalls in standards at accommodation centres; the centres that have received the Excellence Ireland Quality Association mark and the centres which have been closed, temporarily or otherwise, at any point for breaches in standards. [30856/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. In this regard, the RIA is currently providing accommodation to over 6,800 asylum seekers in 62 centres located across 22 counties.

All accommodation providers are required under contract to ensure that accommodation centres comply and operate in accordance with all statutory requirements of local authorities and state agencies in relation to bedroom capacity, food, food-hygiene, water supply, fire safety and general safety.

The Agency engages independent external assessors to conduct comprehensive inspections of all centres on at least an annual basis. These inspections are always unannounced and the inspectors look at all aspects of the accommodation centres in relation to the proprietors' obligations under the contract. These inspections cover such areas as reception, staff cover, menus, facilities being provided, maintenance of the property and fire and safety issues. In addition, RIA has an internal Inspections Unit which aims to conduct inspections of each of the properties used to accommodate asylum seekers at least on a twice yearly basis. Further unannounced visits are made to accommodation centres throughout the State on a regular basis by senior management to ensure that standards are being maintained. Staff from RIA hold information clinics on a regular basis in accommodation centres: these afford asylum seekers an opportunity to comment on accommodation and operating standards and to discuss other general issues.

Any report of a diminution in standards which comes to the attention of the RIA is immediately followed up and proprietors are instructed to make any changes and improvements deemed necessary. Follow-up inspections are also arranged as appropriate. In cases where standards stipulated in the contract have not been met and the proprietor has not made sufficient efforts to remedy the situation, there is provision for the contract to be terminated.

The primary reasons for follow-up inspections usually occur in relation to health and safety issues. This can involve asylum seeker residents failing to observe restrictions on smoking, sometimes involving the deliberate covering of internal smoke alarms. Another issue may involve overloaded electrical sockets. Other lapses may include some staff not recording all Fire Safety checks in the register or maintenance and cleaning issues in bedrooms and bathrooms. In all such cases, the RIA will not deem the issue as being resolved until it or the independent inspectors are entirely satisfied that remedial procedures are in place. RIA has found that all inspection issues to date have been remedied using this procedure. As a consequence, no contracts have been terminated as a result of such inspections issues. List of internal and external (independent) inspections carried out in the last five years:

The centres that have received the Excellence Ireland Quality Association mark (or equivalent) are listed below. It should be noted that, notwithstanding the stringency of its contractual requirements, RIA does not oblige centre operators to obtain this EIQA award or its equivalent, although it welcomes all such awards.

Globe House, Sligo

Lisbrook House, Galway

Old Convent, Ballyhaunis

Railway Hotel, Kiltimagh

Sliabh an Iarainn, Leitrim

Station Road, Roscommon

Bruach Na hAbhainn, Mayo

Athlone Accommodation Centre, Westmeath

Bridgewater House, Carrick on Suir, Tipperary

Millstreet Accommodation Centre, Cork

Knockalisheen, Co. Clare

Park Lodge, Co. Kerry

Kinsale Road, Cork

Atlas House, Tralee

Johnson Marina, Tralee

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 978: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the statutory requirements of local authorities and State agencies in relation to the standard of accommodation provided in direct provision. [30858/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers while their application for asylum in the State is being processed.

All contracts with service providers for the provision of accommodation include the following clause:

"It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure that the premises complies and operates in accordance with all relevant statutory requirements of Local Authorities and other Agencies in relation to planning, building, bye-laws, bedroom capacity, food, food hygiene, water supply, sewage disposal, fire precautions, minimum pay, legally binding industrial or sectoral agreements and health and general safety, including:

Building Control Acts 1990 and 2007;

Building Regulations 1997 to 2007;

Building Control Regulations 1997 to 2004;

Employment Permit Acts, 2003 and 2006;

European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2000;

European Communities (Hygiene of Foodstuffs) Regulations 2000 and 2005;

European Communities (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations 1998;

Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003;

Food Hygiene Regulations, 2000;

Housing Acts, 1966 to 2004;

Industrial Relations Acts 1946 to 2004;

National Minimum Wage Act 2000;

Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2005;

Private Security Services Act, 2004;

Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act, 2005;

Tourist Traffic Acts, 1939 to 2003;

Any statutory modification or re-enactment of same; and,

Any other relevant Act or Regulations as may be notified by the Minister to the Contractor."

In addition to the legal and regulatory requirements outlined in the contract clause, the RIA oversees its own robust system of inspections, both internal and independent, to ensure that the accommodation provided is of a suitable standard and that the terms and conditions of the contract are met at all times.