Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
1054. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to report on his engagements with Dublin City Council regarding public health and sanitation concerns relating to the increasing number of people living in tents around the International Protection Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13590/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1055. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to report on his engagements with the Minister for Health or the Health Service Executive regarding public health and sanitation concerns relating to the increasing number of people living in tents around the International Protection Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13591/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1054 and 1055 together.
On Saturday 16th March, the Department offered International Protection (IP) applicants occupying tents at Mount Street an alternative location to pitch tents. This was done in cooperation with Dublin City Council due to the emerging public health and security risks. IP applicants were brought to Crooksling where they were provided with access to toilets and showers, health services, indoor areas where food is provided, facilities to charge phones and personal devices, access to public transport to and from Dublin City Centre and 24 hour on-site security.
The Department has regular engagement with the HSE National Social Inclusion office regarding the needs of IP applicants. The Department has grant agreements in place with four homeless services in the Dublin city centre region to support increased demand on their services. The services provide meals, places to charge phones and hygiene facilities. The charity SafetyNet also conducts regular outreach at the tents in the Mount Street area, and the Department is in regular contact with SafetyNet.
Drop-in day services remain available to all persons not offered accommodation by the department who pitch a tent on Mount Street, as well as other persons found to be street homeless, who wish to avail of them. In such centres, IP applicants can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week at these service locations.
The Department has arrangements in place for the provision of these services with Mendicity, Crosscare, Capuchin Day Centre and Tiglin at the Lighthouse. The Department is in also in regular contact with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, the Dublin Simon Community, Streetlink Homeless Support Outreach service and others, particularly with regard identification of particularly vulnerable individuals.
