Mr. Enda O'Neill:

On the issue of outsourcing, it is important to clarify that what is outsourced through the Reception and Integration Agency is only one aspect of the direct provision system, comprising the contracting of accommodation, catering and other services. When one visits a reception centre, one will often find a range of services available on site provided by, for example, the Health Service Executive or a non-governmental organisation. In fact, the centres rely hugely on other service providers and various Departments, and it is important that the latter are accountable for their areas of responsibility. That is actually set down in law under the public sector duty as set out in the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. The centres are obligated, in accordance with guidance issued by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, to plan for and report on how they are implementing that duty. In practice, not enough is done to hold different Departments and providers to account for their provision of services and to ensure there is sufficient co-ordination in place such that when a new centre is proposed to be opened, all of the required services are in place.