Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
384. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the person or body responsible for undertaking inspections in the context of Covid-19 in direct provision centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9229/20]
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 of the Immigration Service of my Department and once by an independent company (QTS Limited).
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 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, 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 are continuing to work closely with the HSE and centre management during this time to ensure that any issues arising are addressed promptly, and are also engaging directly with residents to hear and address their concerns. Their health and wellbeing continues to be the priority.
