Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
392. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the process by which decisions are made on the area in which a direct provision centre will be located; and the criteria that inform such a decision. [9390/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the State is obliged under domestic and international law to examine the application of anyone who arrives at the State to claim international protection. While we are examining their application, all applicants are offered accommodation and other supports such as healthcare, education for children and a weekly payment for personal expenditure.
My Department does not select a particular area or location for accommodation centres. Premises are sourced either through a full tender process which is administered through the Government’s Procurement Portal www.etenders.gov.ie or through responses to calls for expressions of interest, which are advertised in the national media. My Department is assisted with these tender projects by the Office of Government Procurement.
The tender process which commenced in late 2018, saw regional tender competitions being advertised, assessed and awarded. The competitions were held for the South East, Midlands, Mid-West, South-West, Mid-East, West, Dublin and the Border Regions.
The specifications for each tender process are comprehensive and are developed from the findings of the 2015 McMahon Report and best practice in the sector. All successful bidders must provide independent living with cooking facilities for residents, as set out in the McMahon Report, and they have a 16-week mobilisation period to complete the works to provide this.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the provision of accommodation is demand-led, based on the number of applicants arriving to claim international protection and requiring accommodation. Where the State’s accommodation portfolio is not sufficient to meet demand and the tendering process is not identifying and bringing on stream the required accommodation as quickly as is needed, the State advertises in the national media for calls for expressions of interest for the supply of accommodation. The contracts on offer under this process are shorter than those available under the tender process.
Offers made under the Expressions of Interest process are assessed under the following criteria:
- A good physical environment,
- Facilities that provide for family life,
- Cooking facilities for residents, where possible,
- Location of property and access to public transport,
- Provision of suitable security arrangements,
- An open and understanding management structure, and
- The ability to develop links with the local community to enhance the experience for residents.
The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) in my Department assesses offers of accommodation against these criteria and identifies those properties most suitable.
