Written answers

Tuesday, 13 June 2023

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

International Protection

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1088. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has been consulted and-or briefed by the Garda Commissioner and-or his staff, the Department of Justice or the Minister in respect of concerns relating to accommodation and related services contracts between him and entities in the persons seeking international protection system [28336/23]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department has not received a briefing by the Minister for Justice, her Department, the Garda Commissioner or his staff concerning the specific matter the Deputy raises. Any live investigations are a matter for An Garda Síochána and as such we cannot comment on these matters.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1089. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will set out the depth of due diligence he and his officials undertake in advance of activating contracts with service and accommodation providers in the persons seeking international protection system [28338/23]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Government is committed to delivering on its legal obligations to provide material reception conditions to those seeking international protection in Ireland.

The Department is contracting emergency and short-term accommodation across the country in order to accommodate people as they arrive.

While not in a position to comment on specific contractors or contractual matters due to the commercially sensitive nature of this information, the Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted including Companies Registration Office number, where relevant, Tax Clearance Certificate, insurance, fire safety, accessibility to amenities, levels of service and competitiveness of rates.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1090. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has reviewed expenditure and value for money element in respect of the persons seeking international protection system in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if the Comptroller and Auditor General and-or his officials have raised any concerns in respect of that expenditure or sought any clarifications from him and-or his officials. [28339/23]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department is preparing a response and will contact the Deputy as soon as possible.

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1091. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he ensures that he and-or his officials have full knowledge of the beneficial owners of companies and their subsidiaries that provide accommodation and related services in the persons seeking international protection system [28340/23]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Department is contracting emergency and short-term accommodation across the country in order to accommodate people who are seeking international protection here.

While not in a position to comment on specific contractors or contractual matters due to the commercially sensitive nature of this information, the Department carries out due diligence on accommodation providers prior to contracts being signed including Companies Registration Office number, where relevant and their Tax Clearance Certificate.

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