The Government is preparing to close hundreds of accommodation places in centres for asylum seekers following a dramatic reduction in those being accommodated, writes Carl O'Brien, Social Affairs Correspondent
In March 2005, the State housed 8,080 asylum seekers in direct provision centres, but figures compiled earlier this month show a 40 per cent drop to 4,858 people.
This is mainly the result of an estimated 3,500 asylum seekers in direct provision being granted leave to remain in the State under the Irish-born child measures announced in December 2004.
Almost all these successful applicants have gone on to arrange their own accommodation.
The Reception and Integration Agency has already closed or ended contracts with 17 centres, resulting in a fall of about 1,000 places.
It has now emerged that there is still a surplus of more than 2,000 places, which is likely to result in the closure or reclassification of dozens more centres.
There are 67 centres around the State at present.
The cost of accommodating asylum seekers was €375 million in 2004 but this is expected to drop dramatically following the ending of contracts with hotels or the sale of State properties.
Along with the drop in asylum seekers being accommodated due to the Irish-born child applications process, fresh
asylum applicants have fallen from a high of 11,634 in 2002 to 4,323 in 2005, a 63 per cent decrease.
In a statement to The Irish Times, the Reception and Integration Agency- the State body which is responsible for accommodating asylum seekers - said it hoped to have completed the reduction by the summer.
"We are very aware that the downsizing programme may cause disruption and are carrying it out in the most sensitive manner," a spokesman said.
"We're aware that people may be attached to the local community and to local services."
Most asylum seekers are accommodated in centres run by private operators who have contracts with the agency.
It said these were drawn up on a staggered basis and could be ended over time by not renewing them.
The Irish Refugee Council yesterday accepted that numbers would have to be cut but urged that schoolchildren, in particular, should not be moved in the middle of a school year.
A spokesman also noted that while some communities had initially opposed direct provision centres in their areas, there was now a general welcome and acceptance of asylum seekers.
Government officials said the numbers and profile of asylum seekers had changed dramatically, with more single people instead of families seeking asylum.