Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter - I know she raised it a number of days ago as well - and for giving me the opportunity to come back and speak directly to the House on the matter. I am happy to do so. I am aware of social media reports circulating on this matter, and some Deputies, including Deputy Niamh Smyth, have contacted me directly about these reports.

To set the broader context, all accommodation centres are subject to regular unannounced inspections by both my officials in the International Protection Accommodation Service, IPAS, and an independent inspectorate company, QTS Limited. These inspections are generally undertaken twice yearly by my officials and once yearly by QTS. Inspections cover a wide range of issues, including the quality of the food, fire safety and other health and safety issues. Regular visits are also made to all emergency accommodation centres by IPAS. Any issues that are brought to the attention of IPAS are raised with the accommodation provider for resolution.

St. Patrick's accommodation centre was inspected by an IPAS official on 24 September and again by QTS on 11 November. These inspections did not reveal any major issues at the centre. However, during the second inspection QTS noted that there had been a cockroach infestation in an annexe to one of the buildings used for accommodation. QTS also noted that the provider had taken the appropriate remedial action and had engaged an exterminator and that the matter was at an end.

In recent days my attention has been drawn to reports that a resident in St. Patrick's was suffering from a medical condition for which he could not access appropriate medical care. I assure Deputies that, as a rule, access to mainstream medical services through the primary healthcare system is available to all direct provision residents, who have access to medical cards. I am informed that in this case the gentleman in question had a phone consultation with a doctor, resulting in a treatment option being provided, and that further in-person medical care, located very close to the accommodation centre, is at all stages available to the gentleman to avail of. I assure the Deputy that I continue to make inquiries to ensure that whatever additional steps are necessary to provide this gentleman with medical care are taken urgently. I intend to review the inspection reports on this centre and will continue to engage with IPAS on its findings and any recommendations that are specific to the centre.

IPAS has a complaints policy which is widely disseminated in centres. Complaints are made initially to the centre manager with a view to informal resolution. If a person is not satisfied with the outcome of his or her complaint, he or she may make a complaint to IPAS, which will investigate the matter and take appropriate action. As of last year, in the event that the resident is not satisfied with how his or her complaint is dealt with, he or she has full access to the services of both the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children. Both bodies have been undertaking both individual and collective reports on direct provision. There is also a confidential freephone support service run by the Jesuit Refugee Service. It was introduced in May of this year in the context of Covid.

Finally, to address the Deputy's specific question, I confirm that my Department has no plans to utilise any other properties in Monaghan or Cavan not already in use as accommodation for international protection applicants.

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