Further reductions in accommodation capacity at reception centres

The Finnish Immigration Service has informed those in charge of reception centres of new terminations of contracts. The accommodation capacity will be reduced by approximately 1,100 beds by the end of August 2017. Those in charge of the reception centres will carry out employee cooperation negotiations with the staff at the centres.

During 2016, a reduction of over 22,000 beds at reception centres was announced. The reduction of beds continues as the number of asylum seekers has decreased. It is expensive to maintain unnecessary accommodation capacity and this is why the goal is to keep the number of beds as close to the real demand as possible at all times. The goal of the Finnish Immigration Service is to maintain a 90 per cent occupancy rate at the reception centres.

There are approximately 16,000 beds at the reception centres today. We have previously announced the following reductions in the accommodation capacity:

• 2,900 beds, in February 2016
• 7,200 beds, in March 2016
• 5,700 beds, in May 2016
• 2,200 beds, in September 2016
• 1,800 beds, in October 2016
• 2,400 beds, in December 2016

The reductions and closures announced in September and October will be realised in April 2017 at the latest. The closures and reductions announced in December will be realised during June 2017 at the latest. The closures announced in this press release will be realised by the end of August 2017.

Reception centres to be closed down

Reception units for adults and families

• Oulu Vallinkorva, FRC, 200 beds, by 31 August 2017
• Kouvola, FRC, 200 beds, by 31 August 2017
• Turku, Laitila, FRC, 150 beds, by 31 August 2017
• Hanko, FRC, 150 beds, by 31 August 2017

Reception units for unaccompanied minors

• Seinäjoki, Ryhmäkodit Arjessa Oy, 20 beds, by 31 August 2017
• Savonlinna, Familar Oy, 14 beds, by 31 August 2017
• Äänekoski, Ankkurin Lastensuojelupalvelut/Ryhmäkoti Redi Oy, 21 beds, by 31 August 2017
• Jyväskylä, Jyväskylän Seudun Tukikodit Oy/Kriisi- ja Nuorisokoti Vanamo Oy, 20 beds, by 31 August 2017
• Kristinestad, FRC, 21 beds, by 31 August 2017
• Sipoo, Mannerheim League for Child Welfare Uusimaa District, 30 beds, by 31 August 2017
• Järvenpää, A-Clinic Foundation, 30 beds, by 31 August 2017

Capacity reductions

Reception units for adults and families

• Kristinestad, FRC, 100 beds, by 31 August 2017
• Pori, Liinaharja, FRC, 50 beds, by 31 August 2017
• Rauma, FRC, 50 beds, by 31 August 2017

Reception units for unaccompanied minors

• Hämeenlinna, State-run reform schools, 4 beds, by 31 August 2017
• Helsinki, Helsinki Deaconess Institute Foundation, 7 beds, by 31 August 2017
• Nurmijärvi, Kalliola Patron’s Association, 6 beds, by 31 August 2017

The Finnish Immigration Service still follows the variations in the number of asylum seekers and the processing times of applications. If the number of asylum seekers stays the same, we will have to reduce the capacity further during the second half of 2017 as well. If the number of asylum seekers starts to increase, however, we will increase the capacity at the reception centres according to the need.

Further information for the media

Pekka Nuutinen, Head of Reception Unit, tel. +358 295 430 431,
e-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi