Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 478: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the representations made by a former security guard (details supplied) in County Kerry regarding the lack of security on a premises. [30238/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Reception and Integration Agency is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers through the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. The agency operates 75 accommodation centres across 24 counties.

The agency entered into the current contract for the provision of full-board accommodation at Westward Court hostel, Tralee, County Kerry, commencing on 17 December 2004. The contract entered into by the agency specifies a number of requirements which must be met by the contractor in the operation of the accommodation centre. These include standards in respect of health and safety, food, including food hygiene, building regulations and security.

To ensure that the terms of all contracts are adhered to, the agency schedules a number of inspections of centres in its accommodation portfolio each year. In addition to inspections conducted by officers of the agency, an independent inspectorate with expertise in the area of full board accommodation standards has been contracted to undertake detailed inspections of all centres on behalf of the agency. The Reception and Integration Agency is satisfied that the security arrangements in place at Westward Court accommodation centre are in compliance with the terms of the contract.