Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 October 2019
124. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the new standards for direct provision centres; when these standards will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43671/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra125. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the inspection process that will be implemented to ensure compliance with the new standards for direct provision centres and the consequences direct provision centres will face for failure to meet those standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43672/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together.
On 15 August, I published the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the international protection process.
The Standards were prepared by a Standards Advisory Group, established in 2017 and comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the HSE National Office for Social Inclusion as well as representatives from AkiDwA, Children's Rights Alliance, the Core Group of Asylum Seekers and Refugees, the Jesuit Refugee Service, SPIRASI, and the UNHCR.
The standards address a range of themes including accommodation provided for those people seeking the protection of the State, food and catering, individual, community and family life, health and well-being, governance and meeting the special reception needs of applicants. They therefore build on the work done in the 2015 McMahon Report and meet the requirements of the Recast Reception Directive.
The Standards will be legally binding and subject to monitoring by January 2021. In the interim, contractors will be expected to carry out any mobilisation works required to meet the Standards.
The policy on how the new inspection process will operate has yet to be finalised. My Department will bring forward proposals in this regard following appropriate consultations and the inspection regime will be put in place prior to the implementation of the Standards in January 2021. While not wishing to pre-empt the outcome of these proposals, I understand that the consequences of non-compliance by contractors or staff may be addressed through contractual obligation penalties.
Since April 2017, residents in direct provision accommodation centres can make complaints to the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children in relation to the services and facilities provided in their accommodation centre. A record of all complaints received from the Ombudsman is kept by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department.
