Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
940. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of phone calls received by a freephone helpline (details supplied) from residents in direct provision centres in County Wicklow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15419/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA confidential Freephone telephone support service, funded by but independent of my Department, was established in May 2020 to provide further support to residents in both permanent and temporary accommodation centres during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This Freephone helpline is operated by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). As the service is confidential, the data from the calls is not disaggregated either by centre or by county.
Since the commencement of the service on 20 May, the helpline has received 175 individual calls. The table below provides a summary of calls received for the reporting period 20 May 2020 to 30 June 2020.
Summary of Helpline Calls Received 20/05/2020 - 30/06/2020
|
No. |
|
|
Number of Helpline Contacts |
175 |
|
Queries Resolved on Call |
75 |
|
Queries Requiring Follow Up |
100 |
A total of 5 JRS operators were available on a rotational basis during this time, working on the helpline at the following times:
Monday: 10AM – 1PM / 2PM – 4PM
Tuesday: 10AM – 1PM / 2PM – 4PM
Thursday: 10AM – 1PM / 2PM – 4PM
Friday: 10AM – 1PM / 2PM – 4PM
A voicemail service is available outside of these days and times with calls returned during working hours.
