David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again urge caution in drawing comparisons to the Magdalen laundries. There is a significant difference. Those in direct provision were offered accommodation. They can come and go as they wish and they are treated very well. Inspections are carried out by the Ombudsman for Children among others. It is a completely different situation. Not all of the centres are operated or owned by the private sector; some are owned by the State. I will consider the proposal made by Deputy Brady regarding Wicklow district hospital.

On legal issues, I ask Deputy Fitzmaurice to notify us in writing of any legal concerns he may have. The centres are rigorously checked by RIA.

I thank the Deputies for raising this important topic. Earlier this year, RIA published in the national press a call for expressions of interest in providing premises to meet the increasing demand for accommodation for persons in the protection process. I emphasise that we put out a call for expressions of interest. The Department and RIA do not go around picking places and knocking on doors. The call sought expressions of interest from parties interested in providing accommodation and related services on an urgent and emergency basis. It was issued in response to an unforeseen demand for accommodation and related services for persons arriving in the State seeking international protection.

The criteria against which the Department assessed the offers of accommodation were availability, standard of the property, ability to provide communal and social spaces for residents, ability to cater at mealtimes and proximity to various other services. It should be noted that the premises were offered to the Department by individual contractors across the country and the Department did not randomly choose any location over another. It should also be noted that several centres are located in rural areas and are run successfully with all residents having access to required services.

Following on-site assessments carried out by staff of the Department, the Grand Hotel in Wicklow town, Caiseal Mara Hotel in Moville and Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey were deemed suitable. The premises are, or after refurbishment will be, capable of providing meals to residents, have the scope to provide the required communal and social areas and are located close to other social services with the support of additional transport if needed. My Department has engaged with the chief executives of local authorities in each of the areas and has provided elected representatives with information regarding the opening of the new accommodation centres. As with every other accommodation centre in the country, the Department works closely with all relevant Departments and agencies to co-ordinate the delivery of State services to residents. The Grand Hotel in Wicklow and Caiseal Mara Hotel in Moville are contracted to accommodate approximately 100 persons for one year pending compliance with all regulatory requirements. The indicative timeline for the opening of the centres is within the next two weeks. The hotel in Rooskey is not expected to be available until later this year after the completion of necessary refurbishment works.

The Department recently commenced a public procurement exercise under which public tenders for the provision of accommodation and ancillary services by way of independent living for persons in the protection process will be advertised to meet accommodation needs in the longer term. This process is scheduled to continue throughout 2019 and be completed in 2020. It will be delivered via a series of regional competitions.

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