Mr. Brian Collins:

I will respond to the Deputy's question about translators. People have to submit a questionnaire to explain the full extent of their asylum claims. People usually have 20 working days to do that but they are now expected to submit a shorter document in English on the day they submit their applications. That is completed on site at the IPO. The issue is that people do not have the legal support to do that. We understand there are cultural mediators who are affiliated with the International Organization for Migration, IOM. They are able to provide some sort of support but are not able to provide legal advice that is tailored to somebody's claim. There could be a translation issue because the document being submitted is in English. There are often issues around equality with translation. There are issues in respect of particular dialects. There is a lack of an accreditation system around all of that. There could be an issue around the quality of the document that is submitted and is under file throughout the process. As far as I understand the situation, people do not receive a copy of the document that is put on their files unless it is requested by a solicitor. Applicants could probably write in and make such a request themselves but they need the wherewithal to do so and support to do it.

Perhaps Mr. Henderson will have a better answer to the Deputy's question about people with disabilities. There is a legal requirement to carry out a vulnerability assessment under the reception conditions regulations. To my understanding, that is not being carried out in any systematic way. In a previous job, I came across a woman who was wheelchair-bound and who had a lot of difficulties in direct provision. It was very challenging to rectify all of that. I am not sure if the vulnerability assessment is being carried out properly. That would be a breach of the law.

We would have concerns for people who are showing up and are not being given accommodation on the day. I do not know what kind of assessment of vulnerability is happening for those people who are being told we do not have accommodation and who may be street homeless for a while. That is concerning. Mr. Henderson may have something to add.