Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1082. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can detail the procedures and systems in place in the Citywest centre for IPO applicants, specifically in relation to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28078/23]
View answerSecurity personnel have no role in the decision making and/or the authorisation of transfers from the Citywest Transit Hub (CWTH).
Transfers from the CWTH are organised by International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) staff with the assistance of CWTH Facilities Management. IPAS authorise the number of people to be transferred and select the date for the transfer. IPAS then furnish a list of persons who fall within the criteria of “longest on site” to Facilities Management who then inform the Floor Manager and the Bed Manager. This list includes an anticipated cut-off date.
The response of site management and security is strictly guided by CWTH protocols. The severity of any anti-social behaviour will dictate the response, which ranges from verbal warnings to permanent exclusion in the more extreme cases. Security staff do not have the authority to remove anyone from the CWTH on a permanent basis.
In exceptional circumstances, a person can be removed and excluded permanently from the site. This can occur due to staff or resident safety concerns, continuous anti-social behaviour, or on the advice from IPAS. The decision to exclude a person on a permanent basis can only happen on the authorisation of one, of the two most senior Citywest managers. Even in these circumstances, in each case, the person is given a prior warning, where possible, that further disruption or infringements may result in them being permanently removed off site.
For temporary exclusions, which are by far the majority of all cases, if a person feels unjustly removed from the CWTH he can make a complaint through the Facilities Management Complaints Procedure.
Before someone is permanently excluded from the CWTH, the following procedures are followed.
The person will receive a verbal warning from Management Facilities stating that a repeat of the infraction may result in exclusion from the Transit Hub. In the event that the person ignores the verbal warning, the person may be brought before a senior manager and asked to explain. If no satisfactory explanation is forthcoming and if in the opinion of the manager the infraction is of a serious nature the person may be removed from site permanently. In very exceptional circumstances due to serious safety concerns a person may be excluded from the CWTH due to a single very serious incident. The details of every person permanently excluded from the CWTH are referred to IPAS.
When a person is accused of behaviour, which warrants to being spoken to by management, the meeting is conducted in the presence of an interpreter, if one is required. If the person disputes the allegation, any person that witnessed the occurrence may be included in the meeting.
The process is outlined in the CWTH House Rules and the Facilities Management Complaints Procedure. Any person wishing to make a formal complaint or highlight cases of alleged abuse can inform any member of staff working in the CWTH. These include IOM, the South Dublin Volunteers, the Floor Manager, DCEDIY staff or HSE staff. This allows a person to approach any agency they feel more comfortable with. The complaint or allegation is then formally referred to Facilities Management who investigate each referral. Complaints and allegations are taken very seriously and are always investigated.
