Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2024
470. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline how the inspectors of accommodation centres provided pursuant to the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 and centres accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection, respectively, verify the occupancy levels provided to his Department in respect of the said centre. [3863/24]
View answerInternational Protection (IP)
International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) works at all times to ensure accommodation is utilised in the most effective manner possible. All IPAS centres are subject to regular unannounced inspections, both by my officials in IPAS and by an independent inspectorate company.
Every IPAS centre is contractually obliged to record the name and Temporary Residence Certificate reference number of each resident in the official register of those seeking international protection on their arrival at the Centre and thereafter on a daily basis. Residents are recorded as ‘Present’, ‘Absent’ or ‘Bed held while in hospital.’
An updated copy of the register, including arrivals, departures, vacancies and reconciliation sheets are to be submitted to my Department on a weekly basis – as contractually obliged.
On the day of an inspection, a copy of the centre’s official register is requested. Inspectors check every contracted bedroom against the official register to determine if there are any discrepancies between occupancy on the day of inspection and the official register.
If an inspector determines that there are any such discrepancies, the relevant IPAS team responsible for bed management is immediately notified. For example, a resident may have vacated their accommodation just prior to the day of inspection. In this scenario, IPAS will arrange for the accommodation to be assigned to another international protection applicant.
Although any such discrepancies between actual occupancy and the official register may be noted in individual inspection reports, this information is not collated in the manner requested.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP)
I am advised by my officials that as part of our contractual arrangements with accommodation providers for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) we set 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.
Where my Department becomes aware of potential issues with a provider or where a specific concern is raised by residents, officials will request an inspection 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.
During these inspections that are solely for the purpose of verifying the safety and suitability of contracted properties, occupancy levels are not specifically checked, but may form part of the report if relevant due to overcrowding for example. During inspections where DCEDIY officials attend, however, occupancy levels are checked.
A new contract for Inspection Services for BOTP accommodation will be in place shortly.
