Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2020
501. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional inspections of direct provision centres that have taken place specifically for Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6941/20]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that all accommodation centres under contract to my Department are subject to three unannounced inspections per annum: twice by officials from the Immigration Service of the Department and once by an independent company (QTS Limited).
As a result of the health and safety restrictions around COVID-19, it is not appropriate for inspections to be carried out at this time. Additionally, all centres are currently closed to any visitors to protect residents and staff. As soon as the HSE advises that it is appropriate to commence inspections again, relevant officials in the Immigration Service will resume this process. During this time, to ensure that we are in regular contact with our centres, a dedicated communications team within IPAS has been established. This team undertakes daily calls with all centre managers across our network of permanent and temporary centres. Feedback from these conversations is reflected in the newsletters circulated to all centre managers to promote shared learning and best practice. The daily calls also ensure that any issues or concerns can be raised without delay for appropriate resolution for the benefit of residents and staff. In addition, residents also have the option to contact IPAS staff directly via email and can also raise concerns with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children.
Inspections in our accommodation centres look at a wide range of issues such as fire safety issues, food hygiene, food quality, information provision, general security and emergency details, child protection issues, provision of TV and Wi-Fi services, staff rosters and the upkeep of all communal areas and bedrooms. Any issue identified is communicated in writing to the contractor and the contractor is required to address any issue identified immediately. Officials from the Immigration Service follow up to ensure that relevant issues have been addressed.
All accommodation centres are carefully following the guidelines for our centres that have been published by the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre, which can be found on its website www.hpsc.ie. That guidance exists precisely because it is recognised that congregated settings such as Direct Provision centres present specific challenges in this pandemic.
We are communicating directly with centre managers and residents via regular newsletters, which can also be found on our website www.accommodationcentres.ie. The newsletters have provided practical information on implementing social and physical distancing at this time and promoted shared learning and best practice across our network of centres. Residents have also been made aware of the need for good hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing etiquette. Information and posters have been distributed to all centres and translations of public health information have also been provided. With Ramadan underway, we have also prepared and circulated information for centre managers and residents with practical supports on observing Ramadan during the current COVID restrictions.
During this time, centre managers have also been advised to increase the standard and frequency of cleaning throughout the centres, paying particular attention to communal areas. A regular supply of hand sanitiser for centres is in place and this is distributed to centres as required. Other PPE is distributed, as needed, and in line with the HPSC guidelines for its appropriate use in residential settings.
In partnership with the HSE and Safetynet, my Department has put in place a national clinical telephone service to provide public health advice to support centre staff. It is also being used to advise, support and work with locations where vulnerable groups are present relating to the implementation of COVID-19 guidelines and measures.
Centres without independent living arrangements (where applicants can cook for themselves and their families) have been asked to implement staggered meal times or to provide takeaway facilities where canteens have been temporarily closed.
While inspections of accommodation centres cannot take place at this time, I hope that this information will provide you with some reassurance that we are continuing to work closely with the HSE and centre management during this time to protect the health and safety of all residents and staff as a priority.
