Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021
493. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention or that of his Department has been drawn to reports of worms found in food served in Kinsale direct provision centre in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37485/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been made aware of a social media post which I understand may be the incident report to which the Deputy refers. Having consulted with my officials in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), they have advised me that a resident at the centre in question had reported to centre staff that a lettuce slug had been found on their plate on 26 June 2021.
I can assure the Deputy that this was an isolated incident which regrettably occurred despite the lettuce going through a sanitisation process in line with HACCP procedures prior to being served. Any remaining lettuce products on service were removed and replaced immediately. At the time the issue was raised, centre staff responded immediately and apologised in person to the resident. The resident was offered an alternative meal.
Centre management followed up with resident the next morning to reiterate their apology and ensure the resident was not adversely affected by the unfortunate incident the previous day. To date IPAS has not received any formal complaint regarding this matter.
