Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2017
96. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the conditions in which persons resident in a building (details supplied) are trying to exist; the way in which the building passed inspections carried out by the Reception and Integration Agency and a fire safety company hired by it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52404/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has recently been made aware of complaints in relation to the accommodation centre in question. These complaints have been forwarded onto the contractor and a full report has been requested as soon as possible. Any and all appropriate action to remedy any identified defect will immediately be addressed.
All accommodation centres under contract to the Department are inspected by staff from the Reception and Integration Agency and by an independent inspector, QTS Health and Safety Limited. Inspection Reports are available to view on www.ria-inspections.gov.ie. The format of the inspections require visual inspection of all bedrooms, communal areas, kitchens and fire exits.
The accommodation centre in question has been inspected three times in 2017 - once by QTS Health and Safety Limited on the 12th April and twice by two different staff members from the Reception and Integration Agency - on the 29th June and as recently as the 29th November.
All accommodation centres are also subject to inspection by other State inspectors such as the environmental health service, the fire service and the Data Protection Commissioner.
Each centre under contract to the Department is required to have a current and active fire certificate renewed on a yearly basis. In the case of the accommodation centre in question the latest fire certificate covers the period to 14th September 2018.
Residents of the centre (or indeed any accommodation centre) have the possibility to register a complaint in relation to the accommodation centre with the Manager or with an inspector as the case may be. The only complaint raised by a resident during the inspections mentioned above was on the 29th June 2017 and that was in relation to a transfer.
In addition to the foregoing it is always open to any resident in the centre in question to make a complaint to the Ombudsman about any matter in relation to their accommodation at that centre.
