Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 26 May 2020

Special Committee on Covid-19 Response

Congregated Settings: Direct Provision Centres

Ms Oonagh Buckley:

In normal times we aim to have three unannounced inspections of each of our centres and those go through the detail of what is required of the centres. Any flaws or faults that are found are immediately referred to the centre manager and asked to be addressed directly. There is a follow-up visit, if needed.

In terms of governance of the rights of the people, the Deputy will be aware that under the McMahon report of 2015 centre residents were given access to the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children. The Ombudsman now conducts a very proactive campaign of visits to centres. Indeed, he published his report in the last few weeks. He deals very proactively with complaints that come in. As well as the capacity to complain to us which, as one of the Deputy's colleagues has already said, some people do not like to do there are many routes now to try to ensure that centres are effectively managed.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.