Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
299. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has satisfied himself that the local community in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare was adequately consulted regarding the proposed direct provision centre to be located there. [11805/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 8 January 2018, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department published a call for expressions of interest in the national press and EC Journal.
This call sought expressions of interest from parties who would be interested in providing accommodation and related services on a urgent and emergency basis. This was issued in response to the urgent and unforeseen demand for accommodation and related services from such persons arriving in the State seeking international protection. The closing date for receipt of expressions of interest was the 28 January 2018.
In total, just under 20 premises were offered to the Department of which 11 were made available for inspection. The criteria against which the Department assessed the offers of accommodation were availability, standard of property, ability to provide communal social spaces for residents, ability to cater at mealtimes and proximity to required services such as schools, shops, post office etc.
It should be noted that these premises were offered to the Department by individual contractors across the country. The Department did not randomly choose any one location over another location.
Following on-site assessments carried out by staff in the Department, the offer of the King Thomond Hotel in Lisdoonvarna was deemed to the most suitable premises offered to the Department. The premises was available, decorated to a high standard, capable of delivering the required services, has scope to provide the required communal social areas required by residents and is located close to a town with both primary and secondary schools, shops and a post office.
As with every other accommodation centre in the country, my Department works closely with the HSE and Departments of Education and Skills and Employment Affairs and Social Protection and all other relevant Government Departments and Agencies to coordinate the delivery of State services to residents.
Contractual discussions with the contractor concluded on Friday 16 February. On Tuesday 20 February, local politicians and members of the Oireachtas were advised of the development and invited to a meet with RIA staff on the following Friday. That meeting became a public meeting from which the community in Lisdoonvarna submitted two lists of additional queries addressing medical, educational, community and social issues. A full response to those queries has been issued.
I understand that there has been significant interest from the local community in getting involved with the residents of the centre through the 'Friends of the Centre' model and my Department will continue to engage with the Friends of the Centre to provide support and address any issues that may arise.
