Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
1013. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 547 of 9 May 2023, if he will identify the two permanent centres that did not receive two inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36103/23]
View answerDeputy, my officials have identified these two centres at Mosney Accommodation Centre, Co. Meath and the Central Inn, Dublin 1.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, immense pressure has been placed on both the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) and the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) to accommodate those displaced by the conflict and the vastly increased numbers seeking international protection.
In 2022, over 15,000 IP applicants arrived in Ireland, the largest number of arrivals accommodated since records began. For context, the average annual arrival figure for IP applicants for the 3-year period from (2017 to 2019) was 3,500.
Inspection resources were deployed in this period to inspect new centres or centres where higher than average numbers of complaints were registered.
Planning is well advanced for the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to monitor permanent IPAS centres against national standards as part of transitional arrangements for moving to a new model of accommodation. This will ensure that all permanent centres are monitored regularly.
Inspections of emergency accommodation will continue to take place through the Department's independent inspector at both pre- and post-occupancy stages as deemed appropriate in order to ensure the properties meet the requisite criteria and to address service provision issues should they arise.
