Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
440. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if HIQA inspections will apply to all providers of accommodation to IPAS; and the details of any exceptions. [35470/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the Government’s intention that the accommodation centres operated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), which is part of my Department, will be independently monitored by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for compliance with the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the protection process. These Standards were adopted by Government in 2019, and came into effect in January 2021.
HIQA's role will apply to all of IPAS's permanent centres. It will not apply to emergency centres as they are subject to separate contractual arrangements.
In advance of the introduction of independent monitoring, IPAS has taken steps to support adherence to the National Standards through its contract arrangements with accommodation centres. All properties selected under IPAS’ most recent tender process are required to be able to implement the National Standards.
