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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2021

Thursday, 27 May 2021

Ceisteanna (63)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

63. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will meet or intervene with HSE officials to discuss the situation of healthcare workers currently in direct provision who are being accommodated in alternative accommodation during the Covid-19 crisis and who are receiving contradictory information from the HSE in relation to the security of their current accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28753/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The closure or otherwise of temporary accommodation premises operated by the HSE for the housing of frontline healthcare workers is entirely a matter for the HSE.

The Social Inclusion Office of the HSE has assured the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department that there are no plans to discontinue its accommodation scheme and has further agreed with IPAS to inform them of any changes to, or cessation of, the HSE accommodation scheme which may necessitate the return of international protection applicants to IPAS accommodation.

My officials continue to engage with the HSE to ensure that arrangements to re-accommodate applicants in their original IPAS accommodation, or as close to it as possible, can be made in advance. However, it should be noted that the current IPAS operational policy for any international protection applicant, including health care workers returning to IPAS accommodation, is that they must complete 14 days isolation at a dedicated IPAS quarantine facility. This policy was put in place by IPAS following consultations with the HSE last year and has not changed since then. I am advised that officials from IPAS are meeting with the HSE and public health officials this week to review the policy. Should HSE and public health officials advise that the policy should now be amended for any particular group, or is no longer required at all, IPAS will review the policy accordingly.

Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, IPAS has made every effort to retain accommodation for residents who chose to avail of the HSE temporary accommodation scheme or who decided to move to other temporary accommodation during the pandemic. However, it has not been possible in every case to retain the original accommodation. For instance, where the accommodation premises is no longer retained under contract with my Department or where a centre has been re-profiled in terms of its room makeup to meet changing demands, the accommodation may no longer be available.

Another issue that has arisen is that IPAS has not always been made aware that a resident who left their IPAS accommodation centre was working in the healthcare sector and left to take up accommodation in temporary HSE accommodation. In such cases, the resident’s original accommodation may not have been retained and it will be necessary for the healthcare worker to re-apply for IPAS accommodation.

IPAS will endeavour to ensure that alternative like-for-like accommodation is provided as close as possible to their previous accommodation.

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