Results 3,601-3,620 of 14,127 for speaker:David Stanton

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223, 247 and 254 together. I can inform the Deputy that we are taking the issues raised in relation to this emergency accommodation premises extremely seriously. The welfare of residents is, at all times, our key concern. Last week (4 June 2020), officials from the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department held a clinic...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (9 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: The person referred to by the Deputy is, as of 30 May 2020, being accommodated in our dedicated self-isolation facility in Dublin. This is a temporary arrangement to enable precautionary isolation under COVID-19 protocols until the person can be transferred to an accommodation centre at a future date. The HSE has issued new protocols to the international protection accommodation...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 262 together. I can inform the Deputy that the total expenditure for the provision of PPE for International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres for the period from March to end May 2020, was €521,488.27. During this time, centre managers have been advised to increase the standard and frequency of cleaning throughout...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: It is a contractual obligation on all service providers of accommodation centres that culturally appropriate food options should be provided to residents. Service providers must also prepare menus that meet the reasonable dietary needs of the different ethnic groups accommodated at the accommodation centre and the reasonable prescribed dietary needs of any person accommodated at the centre. ...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: The International Protection Accommodation Services Unit (IPAS) of my Department is working very closely with the HSE and centre management centre to protect the health and welfare of our residents and centre staff as well as that of the wider community at this time. We have been assured by both the HSE and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer that our approach is appropriate. All...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: I can inform the Deputy that my Department currently has no plans to increase the capacity of emergency accommodation for international protection applicants in County Monaghan. I can also advise that a regional tender process for Direct Provision accommodation for the Border Region is ongoing and is currently in the assessment phase. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would not be...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: Last year Minister Flanagan and I asked Dr. Catherine Day to bring together an expert group with representation from asylum seekers and NGOs to examine best practice in other European States in the provision of services to international protection applicants, to examine likely longer term trends and to set out recommendations and solutions. The Group is examining both the reception system for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: I can inform the Deputy that there were 6,115 persons residing in Direct Provision accommodation as of 1 January 2019. The corresponding figure at 1 January 2020, was 7,683 persons. In 2019, the total figure for grants of status or permission to remain was 1,284. Between January and April of this year that total figure was 301 grants. The table below shows the number of persons residing in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Immigration Data (9 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: I can inform the Deputy that a total of 916 people living in Direct Provision have a permission to remain in the State, as of the end of May 2020. These residents have the same entitlement to access housing supports and services as citizens and EEA nationals. Considerable work is being undertaken to support these residents to move out of accommodation centres and into secure permanent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: A number of measures were introduced in the Skellig Accommodation Centre in Cahersiveen in recent weeks to make life more comfortable for the residents and in particular the children who are living there. Families with children were provided with arts and crafts materials, toys, books and tablets, to use as they wished. This was coordinated by the local Family Resource Centre with the cost...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: I can assure the Deputy that my Department, the HSE and centre management are doing everything that we can to protect the health and welfare of our residents and centre staff as well as that of the wider community at this time. We have been assured by both the HSE and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer that our approach is appropriate. All accommodation centres are carefully...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together. I have made inquiries and I have been informed of the following in relation to the Centre referred to. Hand sanitiser was issued to each individual resident at the commencement of the COVID-19 crisis. It is replenished from reception as and when required. Hand sanitisation stations are located outside bedrooms and also at the entrances...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (9 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: Last year Minister Flanagan and I asked Dr. Catherine Day to bring together an expert group with representation from asylum seekers and NGOs to examine best practice in other European States in the provision of services to international protection applicants, to examine likely longer term trends and to set out recommendations and solutions. The Group is examining both the reception system for...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Carer's Leave (3 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: Section 6 of the Carer's Leave Act 2001 provides that employees with at least one year's continuous service are entitled to take up to 104 weeks of carer's leave. Any such amendments would likely require primary legislation. I am conscious of demands on parents at this time and hope that the additional measures to support working parents that I have introduced in recent...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Maternity Leave (3 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 to 328, inclusive, 330, 337, 342 to 344, inclusive, 357 and 406 together. As the law now stands, a mother is entitled to this leave irrespective of the duration of her current employment. The mother can take maternity leave from casual or part-time employment. She can take up to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, and up to a further 16 weeks of unpaid...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (3 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: I can inform the Deputy that there are no plans currently to open an accommodation centre for international protection applicants at the location supplied by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (3 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: I propose to take Questions Nos. 354 and 355 together. As the Deputy will appreciate, the maintenance of all health and safety requirements is, in the first instance, a matter for the service provider who manages the day-to-day running of the centre. Such matters are subject to the normal inspection regimes by the respective authorities, such as the fire authority and the health and safety...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Covid-19 Pandemic (3 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will appreciate, the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis, the response to which is being led by HSE Public Health, as is appropriate. My Department and centre management across our network of accommodation centres (both permanent and temporary) are working closely with the HSE to implement their public health advice. With regard to medical information such as...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (3 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: As the Deputy will appreciate, the COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis, the response to which is being led by HSE Public Health, as is appropriate. My Department and management across our network of accommodation centres (both permanent and temporary) are working closely with the HSE to implement their public health advice. With regard to medical information such as testing, test...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (3 Jun 2020)

David Stanton: I can inform the Deputy that we are taking the issues raised in this correspondence extremely seriously. The welfare of residents is, at all times, our key concern. We are examining all the issues raised in the correspondence and an official from my Department has made direct contact with the Group to discuss their concerns. My officials will hold a virtual clinic with residents later...