Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
561. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are, as per the McMahon report, befriending subcommittees in each direct provision centre in County Kerry; and if so, the work they carry out in view of the fact volunteers who are involved in befriending through organisations (details supplied) were not aware of their existence and do not want to duplicate work that may already be done. [16094/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from the recommendations of the McMahon report, there are Friends of the Centre groups operating in all established RIA centres and groups are being developed as a matter of priority in the newer centres.
The two NGOs mentioned are key partners in the Friends of the Centre groups for the Killarney and Tralee centres. They work closely with residents and management in the centres and regularly visit the centres to meet with the residents. Indeed they assisted the Killarney centres in organising a trip around the ring of Kerry for centre residents less than two weeks ago. The last meetings of the Friends of the Centre groups in Killarney and Tralee took place in February and the next meetings are in the process of being organised and are expected to take place in May.
