Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
114. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for self-catering facilities in other direct provision centres in view of the fact that a self-catering system at the Mosney direct provision centre has been provided; and the date before which the extension of these facilities will be completed. [19328/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra172. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will increase the number of self-catering facilities for families in direct provision facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20316/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 172 together.
Following publication of the Programme for a Partnership Government, which set out the Government's commitment to improving the accommodation environment for protection applicants, in particular for children and families, the Reception and Integration Agency of my Department began the process of examining ways in which this commitment could be delivered upon. The McMahon Report of the 'Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers' also recognised the value of home cooking for families in the protection process.
The system currently in place in Mosney is the culmination of a lengthy analysis process by staff in the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) and by the management team at the centre which involved full consultation with a representative group of residents in Mosney.
It is important to note that the system is under constant review and is a work in progress.
It is being monitored by RIA and feedback from this project along with other similar projects due to commence soon will continue to inform the operation of the entire system - practical issues arising from its roll-out in Mosney will inform the system elsewhere.
It is expected that this particular system will be rolled out in Ballyhaunis and Athlone in the coming weeks and months and thereafter in other family centres such as Millstreet. In addition to this, shared kitchen facilities to allow residents to cook for themselves are being provided in other centres such as St Patrick's in Mosney, Kinsale Road in Cork and Clonakilty Lodge in Clonakilty.
This project is in the vanguard of a system which will be rolled out to every centre in which families are resident so that self cooking can be provided for these residents and simultaneously addressing concerns previously raised in this House.
I am sure that the Deputies will appreciate that implementing a programme where residents can cook for themselves can involve structural changes or improvements. Notwithstanding this, it will be implemented as quickly as possible, with due consideration of possible fire safety, building regulation and planning issues.
