Direct Provision System

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021

Wednesday, 5 May 2021

Questions (440, 446)

Holly Cairns

Question:

440. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the work of the International Protection Accommodation Service in establishing an independent inspectorate for direct provision as recommended in the Working Group to Report to Government on the Protection Process on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23048/21]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

446. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the statutory remit of HIQA under section 8(4) of the Health Act 2007 will be extended to allow it to carry out independent inspections in direct provision centres; if the envisaged role of HIQA will be advisory in nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23205/21]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 446 together.

My Department is engaged in consultations with the Department of Health and HIQA aimed at establishing an independent monitoring mechanism for standards in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres. It has not yet been determined whether legislative change will be required to put this in place.

If required, any legislative amendment would fall to my colleague the Minister for Health to bring forward.

It is my hope that HIQA can commence rollout of its monitoring strategy in the coming months. A strong and transparent monitoring capacity is crucial to ensure that quality of service is maintained during the significant transformation process that will occur over the coming years.