Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
501. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the procedures in place relative to the oversight of services being provided by property owners housing Ukrainian families and international protection applicants to ensure that all aspects of the contract are being adhered to; and if he is satisfied that the procurement process and oversight are robust and transparent. [2953/24]
View answerAs part of my Department’s contractual arrangements with Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) accommodation providers, a number of requirements must be met in terms of service provision. This includes delivery of key services: laundry, meals in serviced accommodation and cooking facilities in self-catering accommodation, and compliance with all obligations in relation to health and safety matters are clearly set out.
Where my Department becomes aware of potential issues with a provider or where a specific concern is raised by residents, officials will request an inspections by an independent inspections company. Where appropriate, inspections are unannounced. The inspector will provide a report and any confirmed breaches of requirements are followed up with the accommodation providers. Failure to address contractual breaches may impact on payments to a provider or, in severe cases, could lead to the termination of contracts.
A Request for Tender (RFT) has recently been published to procure inspection services under two lots; one for BOTP accommodation and the other for IP accommodation. In the case of BOTP inspections, the RFT provides for a scheduled inspection programme for a proportion of BOTP accommodation under contract. It is anticipated that the contracts will be in place in the coming weeks.
In relation to the standards being used to determine the suitability of accommodation locations, in relation to permanent (non-emergency) International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres, IPAS has taken steps to support adherence to the National Standards through its contract arrangements with accommodation centres. The National Standards meet the requirements of the relevant legislation – the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive which Ireland opted into in June 2018. These standards were adopted by Government in 2019 and have been in effect since the beginning of 2021.
As part of contractual arrangements with accommodation providers the Department sets out a number of requirements which providers must meet in terms of service provision, including delivery of key services, laundry, meals (including cultural/dietary requirements) in serviced accommodation and cooking facilities in self-catering accommodation, and compliance with all obligations in terms of health and safety, child protection etc. Any alleged breaches of the foregoing are investigated by the Department.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) will monitor permanent International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres against National Standards as part of transitional arrangements for moving to the new model. Regulations providing for this were commenced this month and inspections will be conducted against National Standards throughout 2024.
