Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 February 2013
279. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the basis on which the contract for inspecting direct provision accommodation centres was awarded to a company (details supplied); the duration of this contract; if the contract was subject to the EU public procurement regulations; if so, if it was publically advertised per the directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8005/13]
View answerThis question concerns a Galway based firm, QTS Limited, which is contracted by the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) to carry out inspections of asylum accommodation centres.
RIA is a functional unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department responsible for the accommodation of persons while their applications for international protection are being processed. Currently there are 4,836 persons accommodated throughout the State in 35 centres under contract to RIA.
QTS Ltd. was contracted by RIA following an open competition under the relevant EU Procurement Directive 2004/18/EC dated 31 March, 2004. The tender was published on the Government's procurement website - www.etenders.gov.ie - on 9 September, 2010.
The contract was awarded to the company following an assessment that its tender was the most economically advantageous. Under the terms of the tender document, the contract was awarded on 10 November, 2010 for a 12 month period with the option to extend the contract for a further 24 months. The contract extension was put in place on 11 November, 2011 and will expire on 10 November, 2013. I am informed that RIA has already started drafting a new tender and the target date for its publication on www.etenders.gov.ie is September, 2013.
By way of background, RIA monitors its contract delivery through a series of tools, one of which is an inspection process. The purpose of inspections is to obtain a 'snap-shot' of the physical condition of the building on the day the inspection is carried out and to identify maintenance issues before they become problems. Inspections are carried out not just by QTS Ltd. but also, separately, by RIA staff. These inspections are always unannounced and the inspectors look at all aspects of the accommodation centres in relation to the proprietors' obligations under the contract. The inspections cover such areas as reception, staff cover, menus, facilities being provided, maintenance of the property and fire and safety issues.
