Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2019
244. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the process which will be utilised when engaging with local communities that have been chosen as possible locations for potential direct provision centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43027/19]
View answerMy Department is working to secure new accommodation centres for International Protection applicants, as the number of people arriving to seek protection in the State continues to rise (figures are up 53% to date this year). Because of a shortage of places in our accommodation centres, there are now almost 1,500 people in emergency accommodation in hotels and guesthouses.
My Department is actively working on securing additional capacity, both in its existing centres and through sourcing new accommodation centres. The International Protection Procurement Service of my Department has sought expressions of interest from parties who would be interested in providing accommodation and related services to people in the international protection process and has also launched a nationwide, regional tendering process to source new accommodation centres.
When the evaluation and other commercially sensitive aspects of the each tendering process are completed, the Department will begin engagement with local communities and their political representatives. The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot therefore comment on the possible location of any new centres as yet.
I appreciate that local communities have many questions when they hear that a centre may be opening in their area. I can assure the Deputy that my officials will engage with local representatives and service providers to allay any concerns that there may be at the earliest opportunity.
In terms of local services and supports, once it is confirmed that an accommodation centre is opening in an area, my Department links in with the other State service providers to ensure that all the necessary supports are put in place. Where GP lists are full, the HSE will arrange for access to GPs who have availability in the surrounding area. The Department of Education and Skills ensures access to schools for children and, if required, school transport. Children also have access to the free preschool scheme, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme. The Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection provides a weekly personal allowance to each resident and covers any exceptional needs. The system operates under a whole-of-Government approach to ensure the best outcomes for residents and for local communities.
As the Deputy may be aware, there is a network of 38 centres across 18 counties. In all cases, there is positive engagement between residents and local communities including through the Friends of the Centre Groups. These Groups promote integration across the communities and are a valuable support to residents and to centre managers and staff.
