Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
415. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of inspections concerning child and vulnerable person’s safety that are conducted annually in direct provision centres; and the actions he has taken as a result of said inspections. [55960/21]
View answerThe health and wellbeing of all people who avail of accommodation provided by this Department is of the highest priority to both myself and my officials.
Accommodation centres are subject to regular unannounced inspections by both my officials in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and an independent inspectorate company (QTS Limited). These inspections are generally undertaken twice yearly by QTS Limited and once by my officials in IPAS.
The inspections cover a broad range of issues, including compliance with the Department’s Child Protection Policy; procedures in place for visitors to centres; staff awareness of the Code of Practice for Persons Working in Accommodation Centres and the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) House Rules and Procedures; training received by Designated Liaison persons; and display of notices on a range of topics including supervision of children and the contact details of Designated Liaison Persons, the local hospital, out-of-hours GP and duty social work team. Inspections also look at matters such as the availability of fresh foods for infants and toys, games and outdoor facilities for children. Centres are required to address any issues that are identified in the course of an inspection promptly. Inspection reports, including the centres’ responses, are published on the IPAS website at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/534c2-ipas-inspection-reports/
If staff in IPAS or the International Protection Procurement Services (IPPS) become aware of a concern related to the welfare of a child during an inspection, it is brought to the attention of the manager of the relevant accommodation centre immediately and then raised at the earliest possible opportunity with the Social Work Team Leader in the Resident Welfare Unit. In line with the Child Protection and Welfare Policy, the Manager of the Accommodation Centre is expected to contact An Garda Siochána if there is an immediate risk to a child, as well as preparing and submitting a referral to Tusla. The Manager may consult with the Social Work Team Leader in the Resident Welfare Unit or by contacting Tusla locally if they are unsure of whether the concern raised constitutes the basis for a referral.
The IPAS staff undertaking an inspection would also be expected to notify the Social Work Team Leader of the incident and the Social Work Team Leader who would either decide to make a referral to Tusla having gathered further information or suggest other referral pathways that might be relevant to that child, for instance if there was a concern for the mental health of a child or inappropriate provision of services and supports for a child with a physical, learning or sensory disability.
Other issues regarding identity issues, such as gender and sexual orientation, may also arise and necessitate referrals to services to support these young people. The Social Work Team Leader also liaises with Tusla Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Services (PPFS) across the country, as well as local Family Resource Centres (FRCs) to gain supports for the children and families resident in those centres.
The Social Work Team Leader also maintains contact with the Child and Young People’s Service Committees (CYPSCs) to ensure that services delivered to children and young people in the accommodation centre are mainstreamed and that the children in IPAS and International Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) accommodation are included in the work of the CYPSC locally.
IPAS also facilitates referrals of applicants who may be suffering from trauma related mental health issues to a number of NGOs offering specialist support services such as SPIRASI and the Rape Crisis Centre Ireland.
I trust this information provides the Deputy the reassurance that the Government is committed to the welfare of all residents of our accommodation centres.
