Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
692. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the direct provision centre in Meelick, County Clare and the self-isolation protocol used there; the reason persons are required to self-isolate on site and are not brought to an off-site facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21118/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is guided by the HSE and Public Health in all measures we are taking to safeguard residents availing of our International Protection accommodation services. In this context the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has been working closely with the HSE National Social Inclusion team and key regional Public Health officials since the beginning of the pandemic to develop protocols to manage the impact of the pandemic on IPAS centres and their residents.
The current advice from the HSE and Public Health officials remains that, during the COVID crisis, residents who may be symptomatic, identified as COVID positive or identified as a close contact, should isolate in a place and manner recommended by the local Public Health officer dealing with the area.
Specifically, where a resident is identified as requiring isolation, Public Health officials, in conjunction with the regional HSE Social Inclusion office will advise IPAS on the appropriate course of action in each case. This may include a direction that residents should either be transferred to an offsite isolation facility, or where deemed appropriate by Public Health, should be allowed to isolate onsite at their designated centre. IPAS provides facilities for self-isolation both on and off-site as required to meet any isolation needs identified by our HSE/Public Health colleagues.
