Jim O'Callaghan
Question:354. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when inspections of direct provision centres will recommence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8702/20]
View answerWednesday, 3 June 2020
Questions (354, 355)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:355. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which in view of the absence of inspections, he can be confident that operators of direct provision centres are maintaining appropriate health and safety standards during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8703/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 354 and 355 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the maintenance of all health and safety requirements is, in the first instance, a matter for the service provider who manages the day-to-day running of the centre. Such matters are subject to the normal inspection regimes by the respective authorities, such as the fire authority and the health and safety authority. The respective authorities determine when these inspections are to be carried out.
In addition, I can inform the Deputy that all accommodation centres under contract to my Department are subject to three unannounced inspections per annum: twice by officials of the Immigration Service of my Department and once by an independent company (QTS Limited).
These inspections cover 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.
As a result of the current health and safety restrictions with respect to the COVID-19 crisis, it has not been possible for our 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 these inspections again, the relevant officials in the Immigration Service will resume the inspection process.
During this time, while we are unable to continue inspections, we are in daily contact with our centres through a dedicated communications team from the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). 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, which are available to view on our website www.accommodationcentres.ie . 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.
Should residents have any issues or concerns that they wish to raise directly with my Department, they can do so via an email address which is made known to all residents. Residents can also raise concerns with the Office of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children and contacts details for these offices are also provided. Officials of my Department have begun holding virtual clinics with residents and a telephone support service run by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has also been established as an additional support for residents.
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.
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.
While inspections of accommodation centres cannot take place at this time, officials of my Department are continuing to work closely with the HSE and centre management during this time to ensure that any issues arising are addressed promptly. They are also engaging directly with residents, whose health and wellbeing continues to be the priority, to hear and address their concerns.