Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2022
478. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding any training courses or any other professional development required for hotel managers and staff that are operating emergency accommodation centres for refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57295/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe health and well-being of all people who avail of accommodation provided by my Department is of the highest priority.
The following training was delivered to International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre managers and staff, including emergency centres, in the past two years and will be scheduled again in the coming months:
- ‘Understanding Child Development through a Trauma Informed Lens’ by Barnardos.
This was delivered to 292 centre staff and was completed April 2021.
- ‘Refugee Mental Well-being Awareness Training’ by the IOM (International Organisation of Migration) was delivered to 82 centre managers from November 2021 to February 2022.
Both of the above training pieces will be delivered again in quarter 1 of 2023 and any centre managers who did not attend will be encouraged to do so.
Added to the above, the following training courses are currently ongoing.
1. The Suicide Prevention by Living in conjunction with the HSE, who deliver the training. Training was offered to staff in 65 accommodation centres of which 88 staff have completed the training, 11 centres have yet to participate. Each centre is required to have at least one person trained in this subject.
2. Child Protection and Safeguarding training is ongoing. All IPAS accommodation centres are up to date in this training. All emergency centres were informed in writing on 7 November 2022 that all staff should complete Children First Tusla e-learning Programme. Centre managers are responsible to ensure all staff complete this module.
In addition to the above courses, further training is being developed. This training will be focused on an overview of IPAS procedures. It will include the complaints procedures, Child Protection safeguarding, vulnerability referrals and an overview of the regulations governing the International Protection process.
I trust that this information can give you the necessary reassurance in regards to training provided to centre managers and staff.
