Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:174. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to develop and introduce national standards for direct provision centres. [20318/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 2 May 2017
Ceisteanna (174, 175)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:175. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will develop an independent oversight mechanism for the inspection regime in direct provision. [20319/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.
Recommendation 4.226 of the McMahon Report recommends that "The Minister for Justice and Equality should establish a standard-setting committee to reflect fully government policy across all areas of service in Direct Provision...". The McMahon Report lists some 173 recommendations, some of which required legislative changes or physical, constructional changes to be implemented. My Department is tracking and publishing progress on the recommendations.
In relation to the specific recommendation on standards, a committee has been established which includes representatives of the NGO community and support from state agencies and has met on a number of occasions. It continues to sit and has sought advice from external sources including HIQA (Health Information & Quality Authority) on the drafting of new standards.
The output of this group is expected to continue to inform the level of services and facilities available in State provided accommodation centres. This in turn will then be subject to rigorous inspection by the Department itself in addition to any external inspectorate which is contracted by the Department for this purpose. Quite separate from these standards and subsequent inspections, all State provided accommodation centres are already subject to inspection by a number of State agencies such as EHOs, Local Authority Fire Officers, the Health and Safety Authority etc.