144 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who offered their premises to provide accommodation for asylum seekers in Cork city and county; and his plans to rent or purchase a hotel (details supplied) in County Cork for asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30202/01]

The Reception and Integration Agency – RIA – is responsible, inter alia, for meeting the accommodation needs of asylum seekers under the system of dispersal and direct provision which was introduced in April 2000. Under the system, the agency provides full board accommodation to asylum seekers in a number of settings including hostels, guesthouses and former hotels while their claims for refugee status are being determined. In this connection, in accordance with Government policy, the RIA conducts assessments of properties offered by persons in all areas of the State on an ongoing basis. However, a large number of such properties are found to be unsuitable.