Reduction in the number of accommodation spots in reception centres

By the end of 2011, the Finnish Immigration Service will reduce the number of accommodation spots in the reception centres for asylum seekers by approximately 550. The reason for the reduction is a decline in the number of asylum seekers of nearly 40 % from last year. At the moment, more than 600 of the total of 3,600 accommodation spots in the reception centres are vacant.

The majority of the vacant spots are in the reception centres in Helsinki and Joutseno, totalling to more than 400. With effect from 1 July, one hundred spots will be eliminated from both locations. The reception centres in both Helsinki and Joutseno are so-called transit units where asylum seekers are accommodated for the duration of the investigation regarding their application.

With effect from 1 September, a total of 150 spots will be eliminated from other reception centres. Another 200 spots are to be eliminated by the end of 2011; the locations will be determined in September.

67 spots to be reduced from units for minors

Of the spots to be eliminated, 67 are in group homes and support housing units used for accommodating unaccompanied minor asylum seekers. These reductions will be carried out as follows:

• with effect from 1 July, 6 spots will be reduced in the group homes in Turku and Punkalaidun
• with effect from 1 September, the 20-spot support housing unit in Rovaniemi will be closed down and 6 spots will be eliminated from the group home in Siuntio
• by 31 December, the 21-spot support housing unit and the 14-spot group home in the Laajakoski village in Kotka will be closed down.

Variables monitored closely

The reception unit of the Finnish Immigration Service that controls the reception of asylum seekers in Finland closely monitors any variations in the numbers and profiles of applicants in Finland and other Nordic countries. The development of the situation in Northern Africa and its potential effects on the number of refugees, and eventually on Finland, are also followed closely.

If need be, new accommodation spots can be established quickly. The reception centre in Oulu, for example, is prepared to increase the number of accommodation spots for unaccompanied minors immediately if their numbers increase.

According to preliminary statistics, 1,137 people applied for asylum in Finland between January and May 2011. This is 39 % less than last year (with 1,867 applications between January and May 2010). In the light of these figures, the total number of applicants arriving this year is estimated at 2,500–3,000 (in comparison to 4,018 in 2010). The estimate is flexible because the number of applicants often varies particularly in autumn.

Further information for the media:

Senior Adviser Veikko Pyykkönen, Reception Unit for the Finnish Immigration Services, telephone: +358 (0)71 873 0431, e-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi

22.6.2011