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Since the introduction of 'Dispersal' in November 1999, asylum seekers have been housed in communal accommodation centres on full-board and reduced social welfare payments.
The policy was introduced nationwide in April 2000 on the assumption that such stays in communal accommodation would be of a short-term nature, as it was the Government's objective to definitively process all asylum applications within a 6-month period.
However, that was not the case with some asylum seekers spending over 2 years in the asylum process, therefore a prolonged spell in direct provision.
According to the Reception and Integration Agency's monthly statistics update, as of 30 April 2004, over 50% have been in direct provision for periods ranging from 9-24 months, with 7% having been there for over 2 years.
As a result of the legislation, the number of asylum seekers currently in direct provision has risen from less than 5,000 to just under 7,000 in the 72 accommodation centres (3 Reception Centres, 63 Direct Provision Centres and 6 Self-Catering Centres) in 24 counties. After May 1, 2004, the RIA stated that they would also open 'departure centres' for former asylum seekers from the new EU member states who could not support themselves in preparation for their repatriation back to their countries of origin.
The numbers accommodated in each centre varies from 20 to 400, and many of the larger centres are situated on the edge of towns or suburbs leaving asylum seekers segregated from mainstream society, both physically and mentally.
Of the accommodation centres, Mosney in Co. Meath, is largest catering for c.740 residents; 4 centres have capacity for c.250 each and 6 centres can accommodate between 100 and 200 in.
In the last two years, the 6 Self-Catering Centres (5 in Dublin; 1in Drogheda) have been set up to cater newly recognised refugees who have to move out of direct provision and have problems in immediately accessing private rented accommodation.
However, huge regional variations exist in the implementation of this system. Some asylum seekers have to share a room with up to five others, with no access to services, and have to eat food that they dislike and at a time not of their choosing, whereas others have their own bedrooms and cook their own traditional food at a time that is convenient to them.