Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
501. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the contractual requirements on suppliers of accommodation to international protection residents to provide supports for children in their care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29084/23]
View answerThe health and well-being of all residents in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres is of the highest priority to myself and my officials.
When new accommodation centres are contracted by the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) through a Request for Tender (RFT) process, there are strict requirements in the form of supports and services that must be provided for children.
Supports and services for children are required to ensure that they are safe from harm, active and healthy and achieving their full potential in their development. This includes (but is not limited to) education-related supports including access to a quiet space for homework/study, sporting and recreational activities and age-appropriate toys and equipment.
Access to a range of adequate and accessible play, sports and recreational facilities, both indoor and outdoor, within the locale must be provided or facilitated to meet the needs of children or young people.
Children under school-going age must have access to a crèche/preschool within walking distance.
Children First training is provided to all staff in IPAS accommodation centres and the training is provided by IPAS.
The staffing service must include provision for:
• Identifying and linking young people and families with the appropriate community supports;
• Supporting young persons to identify their interests and to support parents with parenting.
• A member of the centre's management team must be designated as a Child and Youth Support Officer assigned particular responsibility for providing age-appropriate services and supports for children and young people.
• The Child and Youth Support Officer must be fully trained in Child Safeguarding and Children First procedures as required under legislation and have appropriate experience and training in working with children and young people. They also must hold at minimum a QQI Level 6 qualification in social care or equivalent.
• Within the accommodation centre, information including notices about online safety must be available to children, young people and parents.
• In terms of Emergency accommodation centres, the following services and supports are included in the contract for providers:
• All staff, employees or other Centre personnel must be Garda vetted in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012;
• The accommodation provider must comply with and implement the provisions of the Children’s First Act 2015, in particular the requirement to have a Child Safeguarding Statement and acceptance of the requirement for accommodation managers and/or designated liaison persons to be "mandated reporting persons" within the meaning of the Act;
• A suitable private area must be available for the use of the international protection applicant, IPAS and the agencies providing services to applicants such as HSE, Department of Social Protection and Tusla Education Support Services;
• The accommodation provider is required to make suitable arrangements for transport as required including to and from schools.
