Reception and Integration Agency - Main Roles And Functions

The Reception and Integration Agency:

Sources suitable accommodation and sites throughout Ireland for accommodating asylum seekers;
Co-ordinates the preparation of sites at which temporary accommodation for asylum seekers is to be provided;
Contracts out the management (including arrangements for catering and security) of State owned accommodation centres ;
Monitors the operation of accommodation centres on an on-going basis;
Accommodates asylum seekers at reception centres in Dublin for an initial period of seven to ten days for the purposes of orientation, information provision, voluntary health screening, needs assessment and assistance with the first stages of asylum applications;
Disperses asylum seekers from reception centres in Dublin to accommodation centres around the country;
Co-ordinates the provision of services at accommodation centres;
Provides training and support to proprietors and management of centres;
Monitors the implementation of contracts for services;
Supports local asylum seeker support groups established to befriend and be of assistance to asylum seekers;
Supports the repatriation on an ongoing basis for the Department of Social and Family Affairs, of nationals of the ten new EU Member States who fail the Habitual Residency Condition attaching to Social Assistance Payments.