Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider reviewing the food provided to those in benefit of direct provision to those seeking to remain in the State in view of concerns regarding its variety and appropriateness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21574/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, is currently accommodating close on 8,000 residents representing over 100 nationalities in 84 centres throughout 25 counties. The RIA places particular emphasis on meeting, to the greatest extent possible, the dietary needs of residents and, in this regard, 28-day menu cycles are in place in all large centres. In small centres menus are cycled on a seven-day or 14-day basis. The menus offered reflect the reasonable needs of the different ethnic groups and the reasonable prescribed dietary needs of any person accommodated in centres.

All contractors are required to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner each day. Breakfast must include eggs, a choice of a minimum of six cereals, a choice of three or four juices, a selection of fruit and cheese, milk, tea, coffee, toast, brown and white bread, rolls and a selection of spreads, jams and preserves. Lunch must consist of a choice of three light main courses, to vary daily, together with salads, rice, potatoes, juices, tea and coffee. In the case of dinner, it must include a choice of two starters, one hot and one cold, or desert or yoghurt and a choice of three main courses, to vary daily, to include a meat dish, a fish dish and a vegetarian dish. Dishes on offer for dinner include chicken, lamb, lasagne, Nigerian style egg fried rice with chicken, chicken egusi, Romanian chicken stew, ogbuno soup and pounded yam, lamb kleftico, lemon pepper haddock, pork paprika and roast joints. Dinner also includes rice, potatoes, chips and tea, coffee, milk, soft drinks and water. Tea, coffee, biscuits, crackers, cheeses and fruit are made available, at the discretion of contractors, outside of normal meal times.

Where there are children in centres, a selection of baby foods and yoghurts must be on display and available. In the case of infants, infant formula, infant food and fresh water for the preparation of infant formula must be available. As regards schoolgoing children, a packed lunch to include at least a sandwich, fruit and a beverage are provided.

All contractors are required to consult regularly with residents to ascertain what foods they prefer and how such foods should be cooked. These meetings are particularly important where many ethnic groups may be accommodated in the same centre. Every effort is made to ensure that the ethnic and dietary needs of residents are met. However, maintaining this on a daily basis for all the different ethnic groups can sometimes prove difficult. Menus are kept under review and are revised from time to time with a view to meeting the ethnic dietary needs of residents to the greatest extent possible.

Regular inspections of centres by RIA staff and by an independent inspectorate are carried out and appropriate measures are taken where the requirements of residents are not being met. In addition, RIA staff, including senior management, regularly eat in centres to ensure that the fare on offer is of the standard required.