Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
217. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address issues raised by the residents of a facility (details supplied) who have highlighted that some conditions of their accommodation have been violated; and if he will allow them to self-cater as requested and will he address the other questions raised in correspondence. [34513/23]
View answerProviders of accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) are contractually required to deliver services according to the agreed contract once in place. BOTPs do not have a right to see individual contracts between accommodation providers and my Department due to commercial sensitivities, however specific standards and guidelines, as provided in the offers portal, outline the conditions under which my Department agrees a contract with accommodation providers.
Where there is a possibility that these standards are not being met, my Department encourages BOTPs and management to discuss these issues and seek a resolution locally. Where a resolution cannot be agreed, the Department may engage with the provider and, where deemed appropriate, can direct an inspection of the premises.
The Department will address these with the provider and is currently undertaking a procurement process to award a contract for this service going forward.
When the provider makes an offer to the Department for their premises to be used for temporary accommodation, they indicate whether it is for full board or self-catering is at the discretion of the provider. Different standards are in place for each category which must be met for the Department to grant the request of the provider for the requisite service delivery. If the contract is for full board, it is not possible for individuals to cook for themselves at this premises. Contracts also provide that cultural and dietary requirement of residents must be met.
The issue of the premises being used for outside trading, or non-residents accessing the building, is not necessarily in breach of a contract, as many hospitality providers continue both sides of their business in this way. This would only apply if we contracted the entire property, and would only relate to the room areas. They are however obliged to provide meals in the dining room.
